Sept. 28 (splash247.com) Cargo drones have moved beyond short demonstrations into sustained offshore operations, with RWE and Ampelmann completing more than 250 drone flights during a six-week maintenance campaign at the Triton Knoll wind farm off the UK.
More than nine tonnes of tools, spare parts and safety equipment were transported between a service operation vessel and wind turbines during the August and September campaign at the 857 MW development.
The drones delivered cargo directly to turbine nacelles and main access platforms, including pre-positioning equipment before technicians arrived.
Loads could also be collected remotely once maintenance work had finished, reducing the need for personnel to wait while conventional lifting operations were carried out.
Individual loads of up to 80 kg were handled using an unmanned pick-up system, while Ampelmann has developed software to automate routine flights between the vessel and turbines. Pilots remain in supervisory control and can intervene when required.
RWE is evaluating how the technology could become part of its service operation vessel logistics model ahead of taking full maintenance responsibility for Triton Knoll in 2027.
Ampelmann claims cargo drones can save more than an hour of lifting time per turbine by moving parts directly to and from nacelles before shifts begin, while also reducing reliance on vessel cranes and potentially cutting fuel consumption.
The Triton Knoll campaign is notable for its scale. Rather than a handful of demonstration flights, the drones were integrated into day-to-day offshore maintenance over six weeks, providing a glimpse of how aerial logistics could increasingly complement SOVs and walk-to-work systems.
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