Today, there exist stunningly advanced technologies that can gather data, detect intrusions, and autonomously perform complex operations in the ocean. These devices are foundational building blocks for nations to defend their maritime borders and infrastructure, for organizations to provide effective security for their offshore assets, and for energy companies to safely and affordably expand offshore energy production.
There’s just one big problem.
Those advanced technologies don’t work without a reliable source of power and data communications, and the ocean is a power desert. Existing solutions involve expensive crewed vessels that are few in number shipping liquid fuels to the often-remote locations of offshore operations or collecting batteries to be recharged and redeployed. It’s costly and complex, and more importantly it’s not scalable to the level the ocean economy requires.
Wave power is the missing piece of the puzzle. The ocean is the world’s biggest and best battery, and wave power converts that reliable, dense energy into usable electricity when and where it is needed at a cost that can be orders of magnitude cheaper than existing options for power at sea.
It is also a domestic energy resource that increases energy independence, both onshore and offshore. Such independence is a critical goal for many nations, supported by organizations that operate in those regions and require increasing amounts of energy to do business.
Case in Point: Robotic Systems for Maritime Border Security
Militaries such as the U.S. Navy are testing their ability to deploy networks of sensors and robotic systems that deliver maritime border security, offshore infrastructure security and national defense benefits. One such use case is real-time intrusion detection for critical infrastructure, such as subsea cables and pipelines, along maritime borders, and around other critical defense assets at sea.
But even if governments are willing to absorb the high cost and operational complexity of providing continuous power to thousands of remote, underwater systems using traditional energy solutions, it’s not a scalable strategy. It’s too complex and costly to wire the ocean with power cables or collect and charge batteries over such a vast distributed network. Plus, intrusion detection provides no value if it can’t send data in real time to trigger alerts and operational responses.
Distributed energy systems that deliver power and data remotely, however, are a scalable solution that also reduces cost, increases operational safety, and perhaps most importantly improves the effectiveness of the defense operation.
C-Power has worked with the Navy and U.S. Department of Energy to develop its SeaRAY wave power system, designed to provide continuous, reliable power and real-time data communications for low-power uses cases such as sensors and robotic systems.
The critical combination of reliable power and real-time data communications is the formula to unlock the future of resident, persistent, autonomous robotic systems that effectively secure maritime borders.
A Dual-use Solution
Wave power — in the form of dual-use technologies that can be used for defense and commercial purposes, such as the SeaRAY — could also unlock the powers of artificial intelligence and autonomy for the offshore operations of many smaller-scale, private use cases. Industries ranging from offshore oil and gas exploration and production to aquaculture to scientific research all seek more reliable, affordable power and data solutions. In our next blog, we’ll discuss wave power use cases for offshore oil and gas exploration and production operations.
To unleash innovation, offshore operators can partner with the growing wave power industry. C-Power’s Partner Engagement and Co-development (PEC) Program includes many of the ocean economy’s leading companies and subsea technology pioneers.
Contact us to discuss the PEC Program and upcoming demonstrations of C-Power systems delivering power and data for innovative offshore applications.