A Universal Mobile Wave-Powered Charging Platform for Fish Farm and Ocean Observation

Background

• Marine hydrokinetic (MHK) energy could provide power on-site and at the scale needed for specific maritime sectors such as on sea charging and fish farm.

• Blue Economy is an emerging sector that will require energy to allow many scientific, military, and commercial activities

• Ocean observing and AUV recharge are considered to have potential as near-term markets for powering by marine energy

Innovation

• Self-mobile boat-shape floating buoy for easy deployment and relocation

• Highly reliable rope-driven PTO for improved performance and service life

• Wireless communication system for easy remote control and data collection

• High efficiency power electronics based power management system for charging AUV and other loads

Approach

• Dry lab bench test to verify the performance of the PTO

• Scaled wave tank test to verify the performance of the overall design

Achievement

• Achieved 60% PTO efficiency in the dry lab bench test

• Simulation results show the platform can provide more than 500W average power

Targeting Application

• Help with labor-intensive and high-risk tasks in aquaculture e.g., Fish Pen Cleaning, Dead fish removal, etc.

• Charging platform for on-sea ocean observation devices e.g., Unmanned Underwater/Surface Vehicles