Although autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are electrically powered, they are usually 'launched' from ships that traditionally consume fuel. A system is currently being developed to replace such support points with more environmentally friendly, wave-powered AUV points that will be located underwater.
These AUV units are officially known as the Subsea Vehicle Residency Solution: a sea buoy from Ocean Power Technologies anchored to the seabed and floating on the surface. Beneath it is a piston drive that generates electricity through the up-and-down motion of the waves.
In the new system, a submarine cable runs down from the buoy and delivers power and communication data to a seabed-mounted battery and/or docking station supplied by UK company Modus Seabed Intervention.
Saab Seaeye Sabertooth's autonomous underwater vehicle autonomously finds its way to and from scattered oil rigs, for example. After retrieving data there, it recharges its batteries at the AUV point and sends and receives data (via buoy) to and from shore-based users.
Ultimately, the technology could be used for a wide range of applications. These include remote environmental monitoring, regular inspection of subsea equipment and communication with equipment and systems installed on the seabed. The partner companies have submitted the concept to the US government for further development.
The system is expected to offer significant environmental, risk, safety and cost advantages over fossil fuel-powered solutions. What is innovative is the fact that this system is fully autonomous. This eliminates the need for personnel to go out to sea and increases safety.
