Possibilities to map and monitor the ocean remain restricted due to limitations with existing ocean observing technologies, including energy constraints.
As a result, the US Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) teamed up to spur technology innovation which can boost ocean data collection, and contribute to the growth of the blue economy.
Namely, WPTO and NOAA have set up the ‘Ocean Observing Prize’ competition which challenges innovators to integrate marine renewable energy with ocean observation platforms.
The first stage of the so-called Powering the Blue Economy: Ocean Observing Prize , saw the participants suggest new options to help overcome energy restrictions that stand in the way of successful and comprehensive ocean observation.
Consequently, eleven winners were selected for their ideas to integrate ocean observing sensors and platforms with marine renewable energy technologies.
The winners received a total of $125,000 in cash awards, and their ideas were used in order to scope out the next phase of the Ocean Observing Prize.
California-based CalWave Power Technologies was awarded $25,000 as the “ Nautilus Grand Prize Winner ” for xNode, a communications buoy powered by wave energy.
The xNode
Specifically, CalWave’s xNode is a self-charging, lightweight power, data, and sensor node enabling the advancement of the ocean “internet of things.”
The flexible ocean-power platform uses a wave energy converter simulator to numerically model and validate power production and loads.
With an adaptable payload compartment xNode can provide reliable power at sea for a range of remote offshore consumers.
For example, xNode can maintain an AUV docking station to increase remote inspection frequency while reducing vessel costs.
In the open ocean, the xNode can accommodate any third-party scientific payload, for instance to complement the ARGO fleet of oceanographic profilers, acoustically monitor fish stocks and marine mammals, or measure CO2 above and below the sea surface.
Marcus Lehmann , cofounder and CEO for CalWave Power Technologies, told Offshore Energy:
“CalWave is looking forward to the next phase of the prize and is planning to offer the xNode to the market soon e.g. to provide acoustic monitoring for offshore wind farms and other blue economy applications.”
The company is also working on a first open-ocean pilot demonstration under the 2017 DOE award .
However, deployment that was planned for this year has been delayed due to COVID-19.
Buoys and autonomous systems
CalWave as well as four other DISCOVER stage winners all explored the competition’s “buoys, floats, and tags” theme.
NREL and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are supporting WPTO and NOAA on the development and administration of the prize.
“ These DISCOVER winners represent a growing community of marine energy technology innovators who can help us address the challenges we face ,” said Rob Raye , the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) principal investigator on this project.
“Their winning ideas have the potential to extend the life and/or utility of ocean observing systems to better predict and track tropical storms, monitor fish stocks that communities depend on for sustenance, and improve the health and livelihoods of coastal communities, among other things.”
Powering ocean observation using waves
Other companies are also developing similar systems which use wave power to boost the evolution of the ocean internet of things.
Similarly, Ocean Power Technologies, Modus Seabed Intervention and Saab Seaeye are working on a new solution for carbon-free subsea autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) residency – long-term, persistent deployment without support from manned vessels.
This novel system is specifically designed for carbon-free autonomous offshore operations with OPT PowerBuoy power and communications at its core.
Via an innovative integrated mooring and subsea power/data transmission cable, a PowerBuoy can provide carbon-free power to a seabed docking station to recharge an autonomous underwater vehicle while enabling secure data transmission to and from shore-based operations located anywhere in the world.
The autonomous resident AUV system concept has also been jointly submitted for U.S. government development and demonstration project funding consideration.
Resolute Marine is also working on an innovative wave-driven powering system ‘Nereus’.
It can provide a locally generated, reliable power source for underwater docking and recharge stations.
Furthermore, Oscilla Power has recently secured funding to develop a wave-powered, self-charging capability for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) to extend the range of their missions.
The project aims to enable unlimited ocean-based observing as well as more comprehensive surveillance for military operations.
DEVELOP competition
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The series of competitions now continues with the Ocean Observing Prize DEVELOP Competition.
It will then focus on a single theme, challenging participants to present their ideas as functioning prototypes.
Also, on May 27 and 28, WPTO and NOAA are holding a virtual workshop to finalize the rules for the DEVELOP Competition.
Finally, the DISCOVER and DEVELOP competitions will award up to $3 million in cash prizes and in-kind awards.