These Underwater Drones Use Water Temperature Differences To Recharge
Recharging Ocean Drones with Renewable Energy
Check out the interview with our CEO and Founder, Dr. Yi Chao, with Jeremy Hsu in IEEE Spectrum. In the interview, Yi talks about how Seatrec uses thermal energy harvesting to recharge ocean floats and gliders with renewable energy generated by ocean temperature differences. A summary is below. Click here for the full article.
Thermal Energy Harvesting
Today, most floats are treated as disposable devices due to power and financial challenges. Power challenges arise because the lithium-ion battery energy is limited. Once the battery dies, the float and accompanying potentially toxic battery drop to the bottom of the ocean. Financial limitations are in play because oceanographers lack the funding to deploy ships to retrieve these derelict floats. Yi's goal is to leverage Seatrec's thermal energy harvesting systems to eliminate toxic battery disposal. Additionally, with our technology, we can improve the durability of ocean drones and improve the data collection and frequency of profiling.
Underwater Charging Station for UUVs
Seatrec is collaborating with defense giant Northrop Grumman to develop an underwater recharging station for ocean robots. Northrop has created a self-insulating electrical connector capable of operating while the powered electrical contacts are submerged. Seatrec and Northrop won a $10,000 prize under the Powering the Blue Economy: Ocean Observing Prize administered by the U.S. Department of Energy and NOAA to develop this technology.
Yi is most excited about collecting as much oceanographic data as possible and exploring other blue economy ventures such as aquaculture (underwater farms) and other subsurface applications.
Northrop Grumman And Seatrec Recognized For Self-Sustaining UUV Charging Station
Northrop Grumman and Seatrec, Inc. were recently winners of an Explorer Prize, which concluded the Discovery competition phase of the Powering the Blue Economy™ Ocean Observing Prize, sponsored by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Read more on Northrop Grumman's news site.
Cleantech Companies Ride the Sustainable Investing Wave in LA
LA's cleantech startup scene is making waves, and we're in stellar company with Lauren Gropper from Repurpose and funding from prescient SoCal investors like LACI and Pasadena Angels. Thanks, James B. Cutchin, for featuring our sustainability community and the greener (and bluer) world we're aiming to build.
Seatrec Honored as Winner of the Powering the Blue Economy™ Ocean Observing Prize
Seatrec, a renewable energy company that harvests energy from temperature differences in the environment, today announced it is the winner of DISCOVER competition of The Powering the Blue Economy™: Ocean Observing Prize, sponsored by the Department of Energy (DOE) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). As part of the American-Made Challenges, this prize was awarded to Seatrec for its revolutionary work in creating a green energy solution for persistent ocean observation to power profiling floats and underwater gliders. Competitors were asked to submit novel concepts and ideas to integrate ocean observing sensors and platforms with marine energy systems.
“At a time of unprecedented challenge for the world and for oceanographic research, we are especially honored to receive this award. All of the competitors demonstrated incredible commitment to the bluetech economy,” said Dr. Yi Chao, founder and CEO of Seatrec. “Our team is honored to be recognized by the DOE and NOAA for our work to date. We are dedicated to continuing to develop transformative solutions for continuous ocean observation to ensure the health of our oceans and make critical impacts on the planet.”
Seatrec’s pioneering technology harvests renewable energy from temperature differences in the ocean to power underwater floats and gliders. In February, Seatrec tested a Sea-Bird Scientific Navis float, powered by two Seatrec SL1 energy harvesting modules, and successfully profiled to a depth of 1000 meters. The SL1 harvests energy from temperature differentials in the ocean and converts it to stored electrical energy for future use. This clean, renewable energy can potentially power profiling floats indefinitely and dramatically reduce costs for essential data collection for oceanographic research. Continuous profiling will allow exponentially more data to be captured, dramatically improving climate modeling in addition to driving better understanding of the world’s oceans. A similar green energy solution for underwater gliders is actively being developed.
Competitors were evaluated on the impact of their innovation, end-user market potential, and technical feasibility. On March 31, DOE announced 11 winners for the DISCOVER Competition. As a winner, Seatrec intends to continue to build on its innovation in preparation for the next phase DEVELOP Competition.
Read the full press release here.
SEATREC Raises $970,000
Seatrec today announced it has raised $970,000 in Seed round financing led by Pasadena Angels with participation from Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) Impact Fund, Tech Coast Angels, and other strategic individuals. John Yoon from Pasadena Angels will join the Board of Directors as an observer. With this funding, Seatrec plans to expand its engineering and operating teams to increase sales, accelerate product development, and support government-sponsored activities. Read more.