LONDON, United Kingdom, June, 26, 2026 — Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, has partnered with industrial services provider Bilfinger to develop the control system for a first-of-its-kind floating power and control demonstrator of a Normally Unmanned Installation (NUI) buoy. The project deploys Schneider Electric’s open, software-defined EcoStruxure Automation Expert (EAE) platform to enable fully autonomous operations in one of the world's most punishing offshore environments.
Bilfinger was appointed by Buoyant Production Technologies (BPT), a subsidiary of Crondall Energy, to design a scalable and repeatable solution capable of supporting autonomous operations at remote and marginal offshore platforms. The objective was to create a system in which a renewable energy microgrid provides reliable power for mission critical, subsea tie-back systems.
Built on open, software-defined automation (SDA), the resulting NUI demonstrator buoy is a compact, autonomous offshore platform located in the North Sea. It generates its own renewable energy and manages subsea control locally, removing the need for onsite personnel or a connection to a distant platform and lowering emissions as a result. Since deployment in late 2025, it has met every success criteria, completing 1,000 hours of fully autonomous operation without incident and achieving technology qualification within the targeted 10-month target.
The use of open, software-defined automation supports a flexible, future-ready approach by eliminating vendor lock-in and decoupling applications from hardware. This enables the integration of best-in-class technologies never previously combined in a single offshore system. The solution presents a compelling alternative to conventional subsea tie-back infrastructure, which is increasingly under strain as operators expand into more remote and deepwater locations.
“Traditional automation architectures make customization very difficult, especially for first-of-its-kind projects,” said Steven Parkinson, Automation, Production and service director, Bilfinger UK. “This approach simplified integration between renewable power generation, remote operation and autonomous control, while overcoming the long lead times, high capital costs and limited flexibility associated with traditional infrastructure.”
“This project proves a new operating model for offshore assets and supports our mission to decarbonize hard-to-abate industries,” said Devan Pillay, President of Heavy Industries at Schneider Electric. “Our close collaboration with Bilfinger and the adoption of open, software-defined automation were critical to a successful and timely delivery. The real opportunity now lies in replicating and scaling this approach across future assets to enable a lower-carbon offshore industry.”
The buoy’s integrated control and power scheme includes Schneider Electric’s Modicon M580 dPAC controller for core process control and I/O integration, alongside a renewable energy microgrid controller to coordinate wind, solar PV, battery storage and diesel generation. The solution is supported by SCADA servers running AVEVA InTouch and AVEVA PI for visualization, data management and analytics.
High-availability communications are enabled via 5G and Starlink, while onboard safety systems cover fire, gas and smoke detection. The entire system is underpinned by a layered, built-in cybersecurity framework.
Bilfinger, a Schneider Electric Alliance System Integrator partner, progressed from contract award to technology qualification in just 10 months and was named Schneider Electric’s UK EAE Partner of the Year 2025. The Schneider Electric Alliance Programme for System Integrators brings together partners to support collaboration and the delivery of industrial automation and digital solutions.