New groundbreaking technology to protect Denmark's critical underwater infrastructure

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A new research and innovation project is developing an autonomous underwater drone to protect critical infrastructure below the sea surface from threats and sabotage. Innovation Fund Denmark is investing DKK 26 million in the project.

Denmark and Europe are facing increasing security threats to critical underwater infrastructure as a result of the green transition and the expansion of offshore energy facilities.

A new research and innovation project called U-SHIELD will address the urgent need to protect underwater infrastructure such as pipelines, communication cables and offshore wind farms. By developing a drone that can capture and immobilize uninvited underwater vehicles, the project will help secure investments in the green transition and communication systems that are essential to our modern society.

- The U-SHIELD project represents a major step forward in protecting our critical underwater infrastructure. By combining advanced technology and collaboration between leading experts, we can create a solution that not only protects our resources, but also promotes the safety and stability of our society, says Tim Lysholt Jensen, VP Products & Technology at Teledyne RESON A/S, who is leading the project.

Innovation Fund Denmark is investing 26 million kroner in the project through its Grand Solutions program.

- The green transition makes us more dependent on complex energy systems below the sea surface, and therefore we must also be at the forefront of protecting them. The U-SHIELD project contributes to developing technology that can make our society more robust against threats to the systems we are all deeply dependent on – from energy supply to communication. It holds exciting potential for both Denmark and Europe, and we look forward to following the project, says Innovation Fund Denmark's Director, Cecilie Brøkner.

The project brings together experts from Teledyne RESON, Aalborg University, Technical University of Denmark, University of Southern Denmark and Copenhagen Subsea, all of whom contribute their unique competencies within underwater technology, mobile robotics, autonomous systems and underwater propulsion.

With support from Vattenfall, the project will conduct field trials at offshore wind farms to validate the technology under real-world conditions.

Facts

• Innovation Fund Denmark's investment: DKK 25.97 million.
• Total budget: DKK 36.51 million.
• Duration: 3 years
• Official title: Underwater Safeguarding High-value Infrastructure Enforcing Lightweight Drones (U-SHIELD)