Moving High Loads with Low Power Subsea – How a Novel Electric Actuator Technology Enables a Sustainable Energy Transition

Abstract

The offshore energy industry relies on heavy-duty equipment to execute complex operations in harsh environments over a long time with remote control and limited maintenance. But how is this equipment powered and controlled to enable reliable and safe operation? Hydraulics have been often used because of the high robustness and safety; but hydraulics also include complex installation, low energy-efficiency and potential environmental risks. On the flipside, subsea electrification seems cost-intensive due to its high power and large batteries needed. This paper explains how a novel subsea electric actuator technology enables a sustainable energy transition combining the ability to move high forces while being cost effective. For CO2 storage, it enables an all-electric subsea tree, comparable in price to a traditional hydraulic tree, but without demanding expensive umbilicals or topside hydraulic power units. In applications requiring long control distances, such as oil & gas fields with long subsea tiebacks or deepsea mining, it allows safe and reliable operation with minimal electric power consumption, capable of precisely handling even high loads.