Phil explained his role and involvement with regards to the seminar, critical engineering challenges, what he is looking forward to at the event and why it is important for professionals to attend.
Q: Briefly explain your role and involvement within Robotics and Autonomous Systems in Offshore Wind?
Phil Buchan (PB): I’m the Commercial Director at Cyberhawk, which is the world’s most experienced drone inspection company. Cyberhawk is ten years old, and we conducted the world’s first offshore wind turbine inspection using a drone in 2012. Since then, we have inspected hundreds of offshore turbines, substations and metrological masts and proven that drone inspection is faster, cheaper and far safer than traditional access methods.
I joined Cyberhawk as part of the founding management team. I’m a Chartered Mechanical Engineer with a Master’s degree in Structural Engineering and have researched and published papers on failure mechanisms of composite, concrete and steel structures. During my time at Cyberhawk, I’ve been responsible for introducing many innovative drone industrial inspection and asset management solutions to the energy and power generation markets. The number of drone inspection providers has grown significantly in the last ten years thanks to Cyberhawk paving the way for adoption.
Q: What is the number one challenge for those using or benefitting from these technologies in today’s current market?
PB: The biggest challenge for end users is managing the huge volume of data that is captured using a drone. Terabytes of data can be collected in one mobilisation, however once this imagery has been used to analyse asset integrity it is rarely referred to again. There are huge efficiencies to be unlocked by doing more with this data.
Q: What is the most exciting development in this field at the moment, either within your company or in the industry in general?
PB: Right now, the most exciting development is the software that’s been, and is being developed to handle visual data. Our own proprietary software, iHawk, was introduced to the renewables sector in 2015 and has become the go-to reporting technique for our onshore and offshore wind clients, rather than viewing a PDF report. >
Using a digital, cloud-based inspection report means assets can be visualised from your desk, with better understanding of defect locations and improved communication with internal teams and contractors. Building up an easily accessible, historical record of your asset also means that trends and patterns can be more easily identified and addressed in a timely fashion.
We’re also making great strides in the development of drone-based contact NDT, which will be another huge, positive change for the industry. This will enhance the safety and efficiency benefits already offered by drone visual inspection – reduced working at height, less time spent in hazardous environments and far quicker inspection.
Q: Where do you see the future of Robotics and Autonomous Systems in Offshore Wind going in the next 5 to 10 years?
PB: Autonomy is certainly going to take centre stage over the coming years. Expect to see autonomous drones based at a wind farm, which are programmed to take off at certain times, fly around using a pre-defined flight path, automatically identify defects and send an inspection report to the relevant people. This will be fundamentally change the efficiency and safety of inspections and is an incredibly exciting shift to be part of.
Q: What key things can attendees expect to learn from your presentation?
PB: We’ll be discussing real life work scopes that our team has undertaken in the offshore wind sector, highlighting what’s worked well, the challenges we’ve encountered and providing some examples of how a drone asset integrity programme could be applied to your business. This includes how drones can help you improve safety, reduce OPEX and work smarter. Cyberhawk works with some of the world’s largest wind farm owners and operators, so look forward to hearing some interesting case studies!
Q: What other presentations or topics are you looking forward to hearing more about at the forthcoming seminar?
PB: I’m looking forward to getting an overview of where the industry is at right now and what’s in store in the future, particularly in terms of the government’s vision and how we ensure the industry has the skills in place to progress. Likewise, I’m interested to see the presentations focusing on AI, to see how others are innovating in this area and how we can collaborate to continue advancing the industry.
Q: Why do you feel it is important for all professionals to join this seminar?
PB: The use of Robotics and Autonomous Systems in Offshore Wind is one of the biggest game changers the industry has seen in recent years; right now, however, we’re only scratching the surface and there is huge future potential to become even more efficient through the use of these technologies. For professionals working in this industry, or considering a career in this industry, possessing a strong understanding of these technologies and how they can be applied will only help them.
Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) in Offshore Wind Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Services takes place on 23 May 2019 at One Birdcage Walk, London.
Join this seminar to:
- Hear from leading organisations about the challenges facing the delivery of Offshore Wind O&M services and opportunities for cost reduction and health and safety improvements
- Understand how Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) can reduce OPEX and improve energy generation and health and safety
- Learn about the latest developments in RAS applied to Offshore Wind O&M and ongoing demonstration projects
- Meet and discuss with RAS experts including leading academic, research and test centres and end users in the offshore wind industry
- Ask key questions about how RAS can be applied to your specific operations and maintenance needs during the Q&A sessions following each presentation.
To book your place, please visit www.imeche.org/offshorewind