The DIOL project will be attending the EUROGEO conference taking place in Porto from 30/05/2024 to 01/06/2024. During the event Michiel De Meyere, Researcher Smart technologies at the Katholieke Hogeschool VIVES, will be presenting "Navigating the Skies: Drone Innovation, Offshore Energy, and Compromised Geography in the North Sea" on the DIOL´s aspect of the U-space pilot.
Navigating the Skies: Drone Innovation, Offshore Energy, and Compromised Geography in the North Sea
Abstract: It becomes clearer that drone innovation and offshore energy converge, forming a significant aspect of the EU's energy competence. The number of beneficial applications of drones within our society is increasing. The European project DIOL (Develop Innovative Offshore Logistics) supports the vision of transforming the North Sea into the Green Power Plant of Europe, as set out in the Esbjerg and Ostend Declarations. We hold the belief that a system of multiple interconnected offshore energy projects in the North Sea can only be achieved through collaboration beyond borders. To accomplish this, mutual learning and understanding between Belgian and other airspaces regarding the complex airspace of the North Sea is needed. Insights about the North Sea airspace such as the status of the implementation of the U-space framework, and the geo-zone that will be better organized to welcome and facilitate drone operations is needed. Long-distance drone flights over the North Sea (BVLOS UAS operations) can be an added value for offshore wind energy. To achieve this, airspace optimization and an EU-wide operational framework is needed.