As oil- and gas-drilling technology is migrating from floating platforms to the seafloor, some oil and gas companies aspire to build subsea factories that would extract and process oil and natural gas directly on the seafloor, all of which requires electricity.

Industry suppliers ABB and Siemens are now in the final stages of developing competing versions of the world's first subsea power-distribution stations, reports IEEE Spectrum.

The subsea models consist of a transformer, a medium-voltage switchgear, and a variable-speed drive.

Once installed, these stations would connect through a single line to an above-water generator, wind turbine, or power plant, and redistribute electricity to underwater equipment.

Both projects have been in the works for more than five years.

According to IEEE Spectrum, ABB will complete its final round of testing in June and expects to install its first subsea power system in 2020. Siemens tested its version in shallow water in Norway last November and is now talking with clients about putting its first unit in the field.

Source: IEEE Spectrum