Ocean Infinity Inc., a local startup that uses robotic technology to help other companies do business in the sea, said Sept. 18 it signed a contract with Equinor Wind US LLC for one of the first ever floating offshore wind farms off the West Coast.
The Austin-based company has developed autonomous underwater vehicles, or AUVs, that gather data about conditions on the ocean floor. It said it will use multiple AUVs simultaneously for Equinor and that its data will support informed decision-making and planning for the construction and operational phases for the future wind farm.
The project will begin in February 2024 and is touted as an important step in the nation's renewable energy landscape.
"When Ocean Infinity was formed, the idea of using robotics at enormous scale to collect more data, faster and with less environmental impact while optimizing safety was our guiding principle," CEO Oliver Plunkett stated. "This project is that entire vision coming to life. It's exciting and rewarding to work with clients such as Equinor who share our vision, can see the power of robotics and our unique understanding as tech innovators, and will reap the benefits as we support them in driving the energy transition."
Floating wind farms offer the chance to generate renewable energy farther from shore, in deeper water. In a statement, Ocean Infinity Business Development Director Shawntel Johnson noted that AUVs can efficiently cover large areas and operate in the West Coast's "challenging deep water topography," with water depths of more than 4,500 feet.
Since it was started in 2017, Ocean Infinity has helped other companies and organizations learn more about the ocean, from evaluating seabed conditions off Guyana for ExxonMobil to exploring Antarctica with scientific expeditions.
As for its new partner, Equinor ASA is a Norwegian energy company formerly known as Statoil — it is a major petroleum producer but has been pushing notably into wind power.
