Stillstrom by Maersk has achieved a milestone with the successful trial of an automated cable control system for offshore charging technology using a dynamically positioned vessel. This advancement addresses a crucial hurdle in charging hybrid and electric support vessels at offshore wind farms.
Stillstrom’s Offshore eCharger (SOeC) trial was held with ESVAGT and Semco Maritime at Semco Maritime’s Esbjerg yard in Denmark, observed by DNV for technology qualification.
The trial showcased automated control of the charging cable from connection to the vessel’s return position. When a vessel is connected to an offshore power source using dynamic positioning, the cable must adjust to movements and distance changes.
The charging connector was deployed from 15.5 metres, simulating installation height on a wind turbine or offshore substation, with a tower-mounted reel containing 125 metres of cable.
As the vessel moved, the system automatically adjusted cable length, maintaining a consistent profile.
The trial evaluated five system elements: automated cable-control, RTK GPS for positioning, synchronisation of line speeds between the reel and vessel’s winch, user interface and data-logging functions, and performance under realistic yard conditions.
Previous tests were conducted in 2024, with a dry test completed in February 2026. The next phase involves an integrated test with an SOV and the full system, followed by a sea trial before final certification, possibly marking the technology’s first operational use.
Original Story at www.offshorewind.biz