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Ocean Energy Extraction for Sensor Applications
Navy STTR FY2008A - Topic N08-T021 Opens: February 19, 2008 - Closes: March 19, 2008 6:00am EST N08-T021 TITLE: Ocean Energy Extraction for Sensor Applications TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Ground/Sea Vehicles, Sensors ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Oceanographer of the Navy; PMS EOD: UUV, NAVO OBJECTIVE: Develop and test small, affordable 100-200W power technology derived from ocean energy extraction. Sensor applications requiring energy will be located on a buoy. DESCRIPTION: The motivation for the development of a buoy-based observatory is the need to acquire long-duration time series measurements of a variety of processes. Obviously, the type and number of the sensors deployed at the observatory dictates the buoy power and data telemetry budgets. Current sensors that might be deployed at an observatory require under 200 W of power. It is anticipated that ocean energy extraction can serve as a power source for these sensors. The compact size of the energy conversion hardware is desired to minimize the potential impact on the buoy platform and sensor system. Affordability is a key aspect of this energy extraction; therefore, the system should be operational for a few days in some applications and a few weeks in other applications. Long-term at-sea issues such as corrosion and bio-fouling are not a significant issue for this system. PHASE I: Proof of concept demonstration of the ocean energy conversion technology in water to exceed 50 W of power generation. A good physical understanding of the conversion methodology to scale the technology. Prediction tools should be used to estimate power generation. The plan to achieve the power objectives and system miniaturization should be established. PHASE II: Proof of concept demonstration of the ocean energy conversion technology in a water to achieve 100-200 W of sustained power generation on a representative navy buoy for 2-3 days. PHASE III: The energy conversion system will transition to the Oceanographer of the Navy. A battery recharge capability for UUVs could be a significant potential market for the energy extraction technology. PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: A significant range of applications require energy; ocean energy extraction could provide power for sensor monitoring systems on buoys for oceanographic measurements, harbor defense, surveillance, etc. REFERENCES: 2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonobuoy KEYWORDS: Hydromechanics; Oceanography; Sensors; UUVs; Ocean Energy; Renewable Energy TPOC: Ronald Joslin
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