In a groundbreaking achievement, an underwater battery storage system, designed to power subsea equipment using wave energy, has concluded its initial four-month test program in the UK North Sea. This novel technology showcases the potential for harnessing renewable sources to sustainably operate subsea equipment, overcoming intermittent energy supply through intelligent battery storage.
Deployed off the East coast of Orkney, Scotland, in February 2023, Mocean Energy's Blue X wave converter was interconnected with the Halo underwater battery, a creation of Aberdeen's energy management specialists, Verlume. The rigorous four-month test program, known as RSP, aimed to validate the feasibility of utilizing renewable energy to fuel subsea electronics modules, mimicking the energy requirements of subsea wellheads, all while utilizing the Halo battery for consistent power output.
One of the key successes of the project was the ability to power subsea electronics modules provided by Baker Hughes using 100% renewable energy. The integration of the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) provided by Transmark Subsea further underscored the innovation. The AUV underwent 50 successful recharging cycles, demonstrating the system's efficient delivery of clean power to underwater vehicles.
Buoyed by the achievements of the initial testing phase, the project's timeline has been extended. The technologies will remain operational until spring 2024, facilitating additional tests related to maintainability, survivability, and reliability. The project's leaders, Mocean Energy and Verlume, are joined by industry giants like Baker Hughes, Serica Energy, Harbour Energy, Transmark Subsea, and the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC). Notably, Thai State energy major PTTEP has also joined the consortium, signifying international interest in this environmentally-conscious initiative.
Andy Martin, Verlume's Chief Commercial Officer, expressed pride in demonstrating the successful integration of their technology with Mocean's wave energy converter. The collaboration showcased a feasible method for decarbonizing offshore operations. Martin emphasized the importance of the extended testing phase in gathering data to support various clean power applications, including vessel charging, carbon capture and storage, and offshore wind.
Cameron McNatt, Managing Director of Mocean Energy, highlighted the growing confidence among project partners in the system's reliability and adaptability for a range of subsea applications. He welcomed PTTEP's involvement, as well as the increasing interest from other prominent energy players.
This endeavor represents the third phase of the Renewables for Subsea Power project. With an initial investment of £1.6 million, phase two successfully integrated core technologies in an onshore test environment. Mocean Energy's Blue X prototype underwent rigorous at-sea testing in 2021, generating valuable data on its performance and operation. Verlume's Halo battery storage system, specifically designed for challenging underwater conditions, provides a steady and eco-friendly power supply through its intelligent energy management system, Axonn.
