Seatrec Sea Trial Demonstrates that it is Possible to Extend Life of Oceanographic Profiling Floats
Seatrec today announced it has successfully demonstrated that differences in ocean temperature can be used to power oceanographic equipment. Last week 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.
See how it works here.
“We’re excited to demonstrate for the first time that two SL1 energy harvesting modules attached to a Navis float can profile at a depth of 1000 meters,” said Dr. Dave Fratantoni, Seatrec Senior VP of Research and Engineering, who led the successful sea trial. “This means that profiling floats used for ocean observation can be 100 percent powered by naturally occurring temperature differences in the ocean, extending their life and measurement capabilities.”
Seatrec’s SL1 sustainable energy harvesting modules enable floats to last longer and sample more frequently, which are two critical requirements for today’s oceanographic research demands. The international oceanographic research community plans to add 1,000 Biogeochemical (BGC) Argo floats to monitor the marine ecosystem. While Argo floats need to last years to monitor climate change, BGC Argo floats require more frequent sampling to resolve the day-to-day changes associated with weather or even the hour-to-hour changes associated with sunrise and sunset.
Seatrec is now accepting orders on its SL1 thermal energy harvesting module to power profiling floats, and is actively developing a companion solution for underwater gliders. For product inquiries and more information, contact sales info@seatrec.com.
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.
Seatrec Demonstrates Energy-Harvesting Solution for Ocean Instruments
Seatrec demonstrated that profiling instruments used for ocean exploration can be improved by pairing them with the SL1 thermal engine. A successful field trial was completed with Sea-Bird Scientific Navis autonomous profiling float mated to the Seatrec SL1. The SL1 harvests energy from temperature differentials in the ocean and converts it to stored electrical energy. Read more at Ocean News.
NOAA awards Seatrec Phase I SBIR contract
Seatrec has been awarded a Phase I SBIR contract from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to pursue fundamental research and development related to “Clean Energy from Air-Sea Temperature Differences.” Seatrec will demonstrate the feasibility and commercial applicability of an environmental energy harvesting system that extracts thermal energy from the air-sea temperature differential and converts it to clean, useful electrical energy. The proposed thermal engine will have broad applicability but may be particularly well-suited for use at higher latitudes where wind and solar power solutions are suboptimal and the air-sea temperature contrast can exceed 20 deg C.
Seatrec receives Phase II SBIR award from ONR
Seatrec has been awarded a multi-year contract from the Office of Naval Research to pursue “Development of Ocean Thermal Energy Harvesting Systems.” The objective of this Phase II SBIR effort is to design, characterize, and prototype novel ocean thermal energy harvesting systems with the potential to support tactical and persistent UUV operations of relevance to the U.S. Navy.
Seatrec receives grant from Schmidt Marine Technology Partners
Schmidt Marine Technology Partners, a working program of the Schmidt Family Foundation, has awarded support to Seatrec for the development of a modular environmental energy harvesting capability for underwater gliders. This will increase the endurance and operational flexibility of a popular underwater vehicle and thereby enhance ocean research and ecosystem understanding.
