Revolutionizing Subsea Operations with Wireless Inductive Charging Technology
Unplugged, an engineering company specializing in industrial inductive modules, made a significant impact at the Offshore Technology Conference 2025 with their groundbreaking paper titled “Enabling Resident AUV and ROV Subsea Operations: The Role of Wireless Inductive Charging and Docking Stations.”
The paper delves into the innovative use of wireless inductive charging technology to enable the deployment of Subsea Docking Stations (SDS), revolutionizing the operation of resident autonomous underwater drones. A pivotal moment in this technological advancement was witnessed in 2023 at Equinor’s Njord Field in the North Sea, where an SDS facilitated a remarkable 165-day continuous operation of an underwater drone. Through 280 successful docking and undocking processes on the SDS inductive chargers, the drone effectively recharged its batteries and transferred mission data, establishing itself as a fully operational resident system. This achievement underscores the crucial role of inductive technology in enabling continuous autonomous subsea operations.
The success of the subsea docking station lies in its commitment to open innovation and collaborative standardization, essential for creating a fully interoperable subsea ecosystem. Drawing inspiration from land-based gas stations that cater to vehicles of all brands, the SDS ensures interoperability and compatibility across various drone types and manufacturers. This is made possible by integrating advanced yet standardized inductive charging technology, enabling seamless wireless transfer of both power and data.
Looking beyond the offshore energy sector, the paper also explores the adaptation of inductive charging stations from their initial focus on oil and gas applications with work-class Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) to supporting microdrones such as Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) in emerging markets like aquaculture.
Unplugged’s work represents a significant leap forward in the realm of subsea operations, showcasing the transformative potential of wireless inductive charging technology in enabling continuous and efficient autonomous underwater drone missions. With a foundation built on innovation, collaboration, and standardization, the future of subsea operations looks brighter than ever.