Virtual world for offshore wind robotics innovators

VDARE (Virtual Demonstration and Assessment for Robotic Environments) allows companies to test, validate and accelerate the deployment of robotics in a range of offshore wind environments. This includes floating offshore wind platforms, fixed bottom wind turbines, and harbour and dockside operations. The technology realistically simulates wind, wave and sea  conditions, environmental parameters such as wind speed and wave height, and a multi-robot communications system.

Dr Cristina Garcia-Duffy, director of research and technical capabilities at ORE Catapult said: “VDARE has the potential to be a game changer in the development of new robotics solutions supporting the roll out of offshore wind. By creating accurate real world offshore environments to put innovative robotics through their paces, we can help fast track their progression to commercialisation and gain valuable learning on how to overcome various technical challenges for the sector. 

“A huge amount of work has gone into ensuring that the digital environments we have built are truly reflective of the real world conditions that robotic devices are likely to face in the development and maintenance of offshore wind farms. Our Blyth facility already has a long and proud history of helping innovative companies fast track solutions for the offshore wind sector, and VDARE provides another vital tool to support that.”

A variety of UK locations are offered on VDARE, and the platform can also replicate international locations with the inclusion of site-specific operational and environmental data.

The VDARE project is delivered with funding from Innovate UK’s Smart Shipping Acceleration Fund and OLTER (The Offshore Low Touch Energy Robotics and Autonomous Systems) project, part of the Net Zero Technology Transition Programme, created by the Net Zero Technology Centre.

Dave Wilkes, director, innovation ecosystem at Innovate UK, said: “Offshore renewable energy is a vital part of the UK’s journey to net zero. By investing in robotic systems, ORE Catapult is supporting development of the most cutting-edge technology to help reach that goal and keep UK businesses at the forefront of this opportunity. This work at the ORE Catapult is an example of world-class expertise as part of Innovate UK’s Catapult Network.”

Luca Corradi, chief technology officer at the Net Zero Technology Centre, added: “Creating a test environment that accurately reflects offshore conditions is a significant step forward for offshore wind robotics. Access to real life environmental data allows developers to test and refine autonomous systems earlier, improving reliability and reducing risk. This capability supports safer, low-intervention deployment at scale and plays a vital role in advancing dependable offshore operations as part of the wider energy transition.”

Showcasing VDARE’s capabilities, ORE Catapult teamed up with leading USV (unmanned surface vessel) company Acua Ocean to simulate deployment of the company’s hydrogen-powered equipment. The demonstration involved deploying an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) from the Acua Ocean USV, where it successfully followed the USV autonomously and collected vital data.

Mike Tinmouth, chief operating officer at Acua Ocean, said: “VDARE has enabled ACUA and partners to simulate operational environments, demonstrating our USV PIONEER autonomous vessels’ stability and payload capabilities.

“Working with ORE Catapult we have been able to develop a concept of operations in an operational environment such as an offshore wind farm or subsea data cables and simulate the deployment of payloads from USV PIONEER in different sea states and weather conditions. Whether this is the deployment of ROVs for subsea intervention work or UAS systems for aerial inspections, the VDARE platform enables us to develop a better understanding of operational requirements.”

VDARE is located within ORE Catapult’s DARE (Digital, Autonomous and Robotics Centre of Excellence) at the National Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth, Northumberland, and represents the first stage in a test and validation programme, supporting robotics developers from concept to deployment.

ORE Catapult’s DARE Centre provides physical test facilities for equipment demonstrations within a controlled environment, while the organisation’s Levenmouth Demonstration Turbine, located in Fife on the east coast of Scotland, hosts real-world equipment trials. 

Companies that have supplied sensors and robotics equipment to the VDARE project include Nortech Engineering and Frontier Robotics.

ore.catapult.org.uk