Delivering reliable and cost-effective power to subsea equipment has long been a formidable challenge for the offshore energy industry. Traditional methods are often carbon-intensive and come with significant logistical and financial burdens.
For this very reason, Mocean Energy set out in 2015 to revolutionize how energy is generated and delivered at sea with our hybrid ocean energy systems. By harnessing the power of our ocean, and also our sun, the offshore sector can work towards its ambition of reducing carbon emissions and creating a more sustainable future.
The challenge of subsea power
Subsea oil and gas operations - as well as the carbon capture and storage (CCS) initiatives that will be vital to the transition - hinge upon a reliable and consistent power source. However, as the sector goes further offshore in the hunt for additional hydrocarbon reserves, the remoteness of many of these installations makes traditional power solutions, such as diesel generators or umbilical cables, costly and environmentally taxing.
Mocean Energy's groundbreaking hybrid ocean energy systems provide a robust answer to this challenge, and at the heart of our portfolio is the Blue Star wave energy converter. Designed specifically for subsea applications in oil and gas and CCS, Blue Star generates renewable energy from ocean waves and offshore solar, storing it in advanced battery systems. This innovative solution ensures a consistent and reliable energy supply, tailored to meet the demanding requirements of subsea operations. Moreover, the system includes a communications link, enhancing operational efficiency and enabling real-time data exchange.
A collaborative success - Renewables for Subsea Power
Mocean Energy's achievements and our plans for the future are best demonstrated by the award-winning Renewables for Subsea Power project. This collaborative initiative brought together the Net Zero Technology Centre, Verlume, Transmark Subsea, Baker Hughes, and key oil and gas operators, including Shell, TotalEnergies, PTTEP, Harbour Energy, and Serica Energy. As well as demonstrating the feasibility and effectiveness of an integrated renewable energy system, the initiative also incorporated wave energy, subsea batteries, an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), and subsea control modules.
One of the project's most noteworthy milestones was operating the entire system "over-the-horizon", powered exclusively by renewable energy. This achievement was a clear demonstration of the potential of innovative ocean energy technology to transform subsea operations, while enabling autonomous and low-carbon solutions far from shore. By integrating cutting-edge renewable energy systems with subsea technology, the project exemplifies where sustainable offshore operations are heading.
Transforming the offshore energy landscape
Having proved our system in the harsh water of the North Sea, we are now looking to test it elsewhere and build understanding of ocean energy solutions, but even this initial project proved a number of key ideas.
By leveraging renewable energy sources, ocean energy systems drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional power solutions, while autonomous and renewable systems reduce the need for costly fuel and infrastructure. Moreover, advanced battery storage can ensure uninterrupted power supply, even in varying weather conditions. Crucially the size and design of the Blue Star system also allows it to support a range of applications needing medium amounts of power that have been underserved by existing solar-only and wind-only power sources.
The success of the Renewables for Subsea Power project not only validates the viability of hybrid ocean energy systems but also sets the stage for broader adoption across oil and gas, CCS, and the wider Blue Economy, including shipping and aquaculture.
The energy landscape is evolving, and the sector needs trailblazing solutions to lead the charge. Addressing the challenges of subsea power with innovative, renewable solutions are also transforming how the offshore industry operates. As the adoption of these technologies grows, the possibilities for reducing environmental impact and operational costs become limitless.
by Cameron McNatt, Managing Director, Mocean Energy
As published in Offshore Magazine, January 2025
Click here to see the story on the Mocean Energy website.
