Ørsted and DSV testing cargo drones at Danish Anholt OWF

Renewables

Denmark – Ørsted and DSV will test the long-distance drone delivery of tools and spare parts in the Kattegat.

Ørsted is constantly looking for new approaches to guarantee high wind farm availability and lower carbon emissions from service logistics with the ambitious goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2025. DSV works constantly to improve and innovate its logistics services. Therefore, the two top Danish businesses have a shared interest in determining how cargo drones might contribute to offshore wind farm logistics that is sustainable.

Effective substitute

Since offshore wind farms are frequently situated far from the coast, service personnel and any required replacement parts are typically transported by ship. The tools and parts that are frequently required for the wind turbines are brought by the technicians, but if special spare parts are required, they must return onshore to obtain them. As a result of this being both expensive and time-consuming, repairs frequently get put off until the following day.

As an alternative, cargo drones can provide logistics support, particularly for small spare parts, which will result in a much quicker restart of the wind turbine. The first-of-their-kind oversea trials between Grenaa and Anholt are being conducted by Ørsted and DSV, who will also look into potential applications for drone technology at sea.

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