Powering the unseen battlespace: Integrating offshore wind energy with undersea defence infrastructure
• Offshore wind installations can enhance naval capabilities by enabling energy-independent forward-operating bases at sea, improving endurance and autonomy of naval assets.
• Subsea energy storage systems powered by offshore wind can support persistent undersea surveillance systems, UUVs, and remote data centers without relying on vulnerable surface vessels or shore-based power.
• The integration of offshore wind and undersea defense creates a new operational paradigm, requiring evolution in maritime domain awareness and naval strategies.
• The study highlights the dual nature of offshore wind farms as potential power hubs for military assets and as vulnerable critical infrastructure, emphasizing the need for innovative security solutions.