Persistent Easy-to-Deploy Stationkeeping Sonar Powerbuoy

Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (OPT) is proposing to continue the development of an anchorless, stationkeeping, buoy system which utilizes onboard wave energy conversion technology to supply renewable and persistent power to the propulsion and control system. This buoy system concept was developed during the SBIR I investigation as a persistent, deepsea platform for the USN DWADS active sonar array. The use of wave energy conversion and storage was proposed as a means for extending mission duration of the sensor array by utilizing renewable energy to support the energy demand of the stationkeeping propulsion and control system. The onboard diesel generator system could then be used solely for sensor powering. This project effort will utilize the initial design developed in Phase 1 to develop prototype buoy system suitable for field testing. The proposed project centers on the design of the wave energy conversion modules, buoy hull, and stationkeeping propulsion system. The final goal will be to produce a scale model system and to deploy and test the system in an offshore environment.