DEEP Campus

Overview

From concept through development, to in-water trials and training.

DEEP Campus is on the southern edge of the Wye Valley, close to the point where England and Wales meet. The focal point of the 50-acre site is an 80- metre deep, clear and controlled expanse of water. Combining in-water infrastructure, on-water equipment, and shore-side facilities, DEEP Campus is the world’s best equipped facility from which to design, manufacture, assemble, trial, and test subsea equipment, and to train the people who will use it.

Wave and current tank

New techniques to meet new challenges

DEEP’s 17.0(L) x 2.4(W) x 1.2(D) m tank is ideal for scale model and (small) full-scale testing. It generates waves up to 0.3 m and currents up to 1.0 m/s, creating controllable, measurable, repeatable metocean scenarios. And it supports marine technology testing in naval architecture, mooring design, and renewable energy research across the Blue Economy sector.

Two divers with diving equipment just after a dive, talking and smiling, one looking at the other

Pressure facilities

Designed to simulate the extreme pressures found deep the ocean

DEEP’s pressure testing facilities simulate extreme ocean pressures, ensuring subsea component durability and performance. Repurposed from the hyperbaric medical sector, they maintain pressures up to 30 bar (~300 m depth) and simulate varying temperatures, humidity, and diving gas mixes. This comprehensive testing enhances the safety, reliability, and longevity of subsea equipment, materials, and electronics.

DEEP's Quarry base with two submersibles

Materials laboratory

An unrivalled environment for testing

DEEP’s materials testing lab offers comprehensive chemical testing services. Advanced analytical tools ensure quality and reliability of subsea materials. Our in-house GCMS identifies and quantifies compounds in gases and liquids, including VOCs and toxicants. It ensures materials do not emit toxic substances under extreme pressures, maintaining safety standards in confined spaces or subsea habitats where humans may be exposed.

Voltage chamber

Testing and scientific innovations

DEEP’s high current and voltage testing chamber is a stainless-steel pressure vessel for testing high current and voltage devices. It maintains pressures of 90 bar and temperatures up to 100°C, handling currents up to 275 A and 5 kVAC. It also features USB functionality and insulated feeds. The chamber is used to test electrical equipment including circuit breakers, fuses, and protective devices under extreme subsea conditions, ensuring reliability and safety.

Dive tank

Exploring the depths

DEEP’s 15,000 L dive tank is perfect for testing subsea technology and diving equipment. It features three panoramic windows and a dry dive control centre with gas feeds, control panel, and communication systems for safe training and testing. The tank is also used for experiments on maritime technologies, including oceanographic sensors, ROVs, and scale models.