Innovative advances in marine and offshore energy technologies have marked significant milestones recently, showcasing the potential of sustainable ocean-based energy sources. This transformation is not only re-shaping energy production but also enhancing communication systems, deepening research partnerships, and revolutionizing marine operations.
One of the most compelling developments emerged from the collaboration between Seatrium and the Technology Centre for Offshore & Marine, Singapore (TCOMS). The two organizations have actively expanded their Master Research Collaboration Agreement, initially established in April 2023, emphasizing cyber-physical modeling capabilities for floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) platforms. This synergy is primarily aimed at predicting the behavior of these platforms during challenging sea conditions.
Seatrium, known for its role as both developer and constructor of offshore vessels, was the pioneer in conducting commercial tests for FPSOs at TCOMS’ ocean basin facility. Notably, the first commercial test was carried out back in January 2023. The partnership’s intention is to refine methodologies for assessing environmental loads and platform responses, particularly during intense operational scenarios.
One significant outcome of this collaboration is the creation of digital twins for FPSOs, bolstered by extensive data acquired from model testing. These digital models will be deployed to simulate real-world scenarios, effectively allowing for enhanced operational readiness and predictive insights about performance under adverse conditions.
Looking forward, the FPSOs known as P-84 and P-85 are slated for deployment in Brazil’s Santos Basin, approximately 200 kilometers offshore of Rio de Janeiro. These vessels are not just remarkable feats of engineering; they also embody the principles of sustainability, integrating advanced technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly.
Meanwhile, the European maritime sector is experiencing beneficial advancements as evidenced by the recent EU-funded 5G-ROUTES project. Spearheaded by the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland alongside partners such as Vediafi and Airbus, this initiative seeks to extend high-speed 5G connectivity beyond coastal areas, addressing one of the major challenges for maritime communication.
Traditionally, connectivity on ships has been limited to urban coastal regions, making sustained data transfer at sea quite challenging. The VTT team has tested a novel multi-hop 5G solution, which was rolled out successfully near Turku, Finland, extending connectivity up to 10 kilometers offshore. Research Manager Anne Lönnqvist characterized the project as groundbreaking, focusing on solving coverage and capacity issues faced by maritime sectors.
The new system uses several communication technologies, like public 5G networks for coastal coverage, ship-to-ship private 5G networks, and satellite communications. This setup allows vessels to maintain reliable data transmission, improving safety, enhancing ship operations, and enriching the passenger experience at sea.
This innovative system was vetted through trials on two vessels operating along the Turku-Stockholm maritime corridor. This configuration established one vessel near the coast as the connectivity hub, thereby bridging internet access to another vessel positioned farther from shore. With these upgrades, the vessels benefited from improved data capacity and redundancy, ensuring operations continue smoothly even when satellite signals are disrupted.
Expectations for varied applications are running high, including real-time video transmission, virtual collaboration tools, and even multiplayer gaming on the high seas. Mika Skarp from Cumucore emphasized this multi-hop approach significantly enhances maritime networks' reliability worldwide.
These technological strides highlight the broader trend toward integrating clean energy solutions within nautical environments. A representative example of this movement is the Atlantic Marine Energy Center (AMEC), which is gearing up for the launch of short marine energy courses set to begin summer 2025. Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy and aligned with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, these courses aim to educate advanced undergraduate and early graduate students on marine energy technologies.
Among the first courses, “Introduction to Marine Energy” scheduled at the University of New Hampshire, offers participants hands-on learning opportunities, including lectures, lab demonstrations, and field activities. The curriculum will cover various marine energy topics, from tidal and wave energy technologies to environmental challenges and policy interventions.
Key learning outcomes include grasping marine energy’s role within the global energy transition and gaining insights concerning economic and regulatory hurdles facing this burgeoning industry. Participants will also benefit from networking with industry professionals, setting the stage for future opportunities within marine energy sectors.
The AMEC initiative is part of broader legislative efforts advocating for substantial investments to propel marine energy technologies toward commercialization. Specifically, the Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act aims for a significant $1 billion investment, setting the foundation for promising advancements.
These various developments not only showcase technological innovation but also reflect the collective shift toward sustainability and efficiency within the marine energy sector. The intertwining of technology with traditional energy modalities, such as oil and gas, marks a pivotal turning point, driving the industry toward greater environmental responsibility.
Considerations about reduced emissions and improved operational capabilities reinforce the notion of maritime industries adapting to contemporary market demands. With projects like the 5G-ROUTES and comprehensive training programs by AMEC, the marine energy sector is poised to transition effectively, embracing new technologies whilst fostering environmental stewardship.
All these initiatives underline the global momentum toward cleaner energy sources. With each step, the focus remains intensely on developing and deploying solutions to meet energy demands sustainably and responsibly. Engaging with these technologies will facilitate the path toward achieving renewable energy goals, reinforcing the importance of oceanic resources as central players within the future energy mix.
From high-tech connectivity solutions to educational developments aimed at nurturing future industry leaders, the marine energy sector is embarking on transformative journeys, supporting both local economies and global sustainability initiatives. The industry may well be on the brink of full-fledged evolution with these numerous and varied advances, dusting off old perceptions and amplifying the importance of marine energy technologies.