COCHSTEDT, Germany - Offshore wind farms play a pivotal role in the energy transition. However, they are often located up to 100 kilometres from the coast. Long journeys by ship or helicopter make maintaining and repairing wind turbines a challenge. 'Uncrewed aerial vehicles', drones, could be used in the future to more quickly and cost-effectively transport tools, materials and eventually also personnel to wind farms. EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG and the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) are organising a two-day 'Offshore Drone Challenge' at the National Experimental Test Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems in Cochstedt, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) reports. Continue reading original article.
The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:
28 June 2024 -"Uncrewed flight is a key technology for the aviation of the future, just as wind energy is essential to the energy transition. DLR is engaged in extensive research activities in both fields. It is important to us to continuously take an intensive approach to sharing knowledge with the authorities, for example the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief and the German Armed Forces, as well as cooperate with industry players and promote technology transfer to the business world," stressed Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla, Chair of the DLR Executive Board, "which is why I am especially pleased to be involved in the Offshore Drone Challenge organised jointly by EnBW and DLR here at the DLR site in Cochstedt. Together with participating start-ups from the drone industry, we are helping to generate new ideas for the maintenance and operation of wind turbines on the high seas. It is further evidence of how DLR's National Experimental Test Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems in Cochstedt bolsters the global pioneering role played by Germany and Europe in developing new aviation technologies for uncrewed flight."
Peter Heydecker, EnBW Board Member for Sustainable Generation Infrastructure: "EnBW relies on innovative technologies to operate its offshore wind farms. As an experienced operator of offshore wind farms, we wish to play our part in turning this new logistics approach into a standard service worldwide. In the future, transport drones will play a key role in reducing the operating costs of offshore wind farms, increasing safety and guaranteeing the reliability of energy generation from offshore wind turbines.'
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Jamie Whitney, Senior Editor
Military + Aerospace Electronics
