French energy giant TotalEnergies has recently joined the innovative "Renewables for Subsea Power (RSP)" project in Orkney, aiming to contribute to the decarbonization of subsea oil and gas projects through the utilization of wave power technology. The £2 million demonstrator scheme, which entered its current phase in 2021, successfully integrated the Blue X wave energy converter by Edinburgh-based Mocean Energy with the Halo underwater battery storage system from Verlume in Aberdeen.

The project, now fully operational, showcases the potential of green wave technology in delivering power and communications to subsea equipment. This approach offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional, carbon-intensive umbilical cables, known for their extended lead times in procurement and installation.

TotalEnergies is the latest major player to join the RSP initiative, following the participation of companies like Baker Hughes, Serica Energy, and Harbour Energy. By becoming part of RSP, TotalEnergies gains access to comprehensive data and results from the test program, providing an opportunity to offer input and receive a feasibility assessment for implementing RSP technology at a location of its choice.

Dave MacKinnon, TotalEnergies Technology, Data & Innovation Manager, expressed the company's commitment to exploring new ideas and technologies that support the decarbonization of oil and gas production. TotalEnergies will receive support from its Ocean Energy R&D team based in Pau, France, as it actively participates in the RSP project.

This development aligns with the broader effort within the UK sector to decarbonize operations, in line with the North Sea Transition Deal signed with the UK Government in 2021. Ian Crossland, Commercial Director at Mocean Energy, highlighted the international interest in their combined technologies, with TotalEnergies' extensive experience in offshore operations expected to contribute valuable insights to the collaboration.

Andy Martin, Chief Commercial Officer at Verlume, emphasized the significance of capturing industry-leading project data through RSP. Verlume's Halo subsea battery storage, designed for harsh underwater environments, plays a crucial role in reliably powering subsea equipment by recharging through a wave energy device.

The Orkney deployment marks the third phase of the Renewables for Subsea Power project. In 2021, the consortium invested £1.6 million in phase two, successfully integrating core technologies in an onshore test environment in Aberdeen. Mocean Energy's Blue X prototype underwent at-sea testing at the European Marine Energy Centre’s Scapa Flow test site in Orkney, generating power and gathering valuable data on machine performance and operation.

Verlume's seabed battery energy storage system, Halo, offers a sustainable solution, reducing operational emissions and facilitating the use of renewable energy by providing a reliable, uninterrupted power supply in challenging underwater environments. TotalEnergies' involvement further strengthens the collaborative efforts to advance green technologies for a more sustainable future in the energy sector.