Hydronalix, Inc. in collaboration with Oregon State university (OSU) has secured funding through the Department of Energy’s Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) initiative to create an innovative robotic unmanned surface vehicle. This vehicle aims to map underwater terrains and ecosystems to evaluate the impact of Marine Hydrokinetic (MHK) installations.
the newly developed vehicle, named SEARCHER (Sea Remote Controlled Hydrographic Explore and recorder), will utilize Hydronalix’s lightweight Emergency integrated Lifesaving Lanyard (EMILY) framework. Initial demonstrations are set to take place in the inland waterways of Southern Arizona, followed by deployments along the Oregon coast, where future wave energy systems are planned.
SEARCHER is designed for automated data gathering, focusing on monitoring the ecological consequences of energy extraction from MHK wave energy systems. The collected data will help ascertain whether the operation of these devices disrupts marine life,providing essential insights for MHK operators. Importantly, this monitoring will occur without any physical interaction with marine organisms, allowing for continuous observation regardless of the time of day or season.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Waterpower Technologies Office is committed to enhancing MHK technologies that harness energy from the nation’s oceans and rivers. To assess the environmental ramifications of MHK installations, there is a demand for cost-effective and user-amiable monitoring tools and techniques. Understanding the local effects around these devices, as well as any alterations to the seabed, is crucial for determining whether additional monitoring equipment is necessary. Customary ship-based mapping methods for seabed analysis near MHK installations are often costly, time-consuming, and logistically complex.
This innovative robotic platform will facilitate real-time data collection, enabling the analysis of the impacts of marine energy extraction with minimal human involvement. The project is expected to attract significant interest from academic institutions, federal researchers, MHK installation managers, the department of Energy, local communities, and various stakeholders within the industry.
