Aberdeen-based Forum Energy Technologies said yesterday it has delivered a remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) to Limerick University for renewable energy subsea research.
Supporting the university’s studies into subsea inspection and intervention campaigns on renewables structures, the Comanche 2,000 metre observation ROV was launched at the docks in Limerick by the Irish Business Minister Pat Breen.
Forum Energy Technologies said the subsea vehicle was equipped with precision positioning and navigation systems, camera and lighting systems and sonars.
The ROV was purchased in a deal between the two organisations in December 2016.
The vehicle will be housed at Limerick Docks where experimentation, testing and demonstration will be carried out.
Kevin Taylor, vice president for subsea vehicles at Forum, said: “The inspection and maintenance of subsea infrastructure is vitally important to the longevity and sustainability of subsea assets and this observation class ROV is a perfect fit for these types of projects.
“On a strategic level, our ties with global research organisations are proving very successful this year. They include vehicle sales to an academic institution in Russia to support its oceanography research work.”
University president Des Fitzgerald said: “The advanced robotics technology developed at our university will be crucial in supporting the burgeoning marine renewable energy sector. It will also play a significant role in reducing the cost of installing and maintaining large-scale offshore energy generation infrastructure. As the worldwide marine renewable energy sector grows, our research contribution in this area will have even greater impact.”
