Seatrec Wins Power at Sea Prize for Bold Plan to Map World’s Marine Resources Using Ocean’s Own Power
Seatrec Wins Power at Sea Prize for Bold Plan to Map World’s Marine Resources Using Ocean’s Own Power
Sustainably-powered autonomous float equipped with an active acoustic echosounder will map upper ocean pelagic habitats to address the critical knowledge gap in marine living resource distribution on a planetary scale
VISTA, Calif. – WEBWIRE – Thursday, December 19, 2024. Seatrec, a renewable energy company that harvests energy from temperature differences in the environment, was named one of 20 winners of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Powering the Blue Economy™: Power at Sea Prize. This recognition comes with a $10,000 award for the company’s groundbreaking concept: mapping the world’s marine resources using a subsea robot equipped with a side-looking echosounder and powered by the ocean’s thermal energy.
“Long-endurance data collection in remote areas of the ocean has always been restricted because batteries are insufficient and ships are too expensive to power high-end sensors like echosounders,” explains Yi Chao, Ph.D., Seatrec’s founder and CEO. “Our technology unlocks the ocean’s temperature differences to power those sensors, and the Power at Sea Prize helps fuel our vision of sustainable exploration to better understand our blue planet.”
Seatrec’s goal of developing a thermally-powered profiling float equipped with echosounder sensors will provide an innovative and critical path to map upper ocean pelagic habitats by measuring zooplankton, which plays a vital role in aquatic ecosystems and the planet’s overall health.
This echosounder float will profile as deep as 1,000 meters and surface every six hours, capturing diurnal variations at key times (sunrise, noon, sunset, and midnight). During ascent, the side-looking echosounder will map zooplankton and mesopelagic organisms smaller than 10 cm at various distances from the float. When sufficient thermal gradients exist, the energy harvesting system will convert temperature differences into electricity. Upon surfacing, the float will report its position and transmit data via satellite. Initial deployment is proposed for Monterey Bay, leveraging the area’s existing sustained observing system to validate this novel zooplankton measurement modality.
The Power at Sea Prize, one of DOE’s competitive programs, recognizes innovative marine energy concepts that could feasibly power blue economy applications, such as ocean-observing devices, aquaculture installations, and storm tracking systems. Twenty teams across the United States were awarded in this first CONCEPT Phase, competing for a total prize pool of $200,000.
Matthew Grosso, WPTO Director, praised the winners: “The CONCEPT Phase winners delivered the out-of-the-box ideas we were looking for as we work to harness the potential of marine energy for offshore applications. We look forward to seeing their progress in the prize’s next phase.”
Seatrec will advance to the DEVELOP Phase of the competition, where teams will refine their technologies with support from industry mentors, networking opportunities, and targeted training. Final winners will share a $1.5 million prize pool to further develop their innovations.
This recognition reinforces Seatrec’s commitment to driving sustainable innovation in ocean technology. With this award, the company continues its mission to contribute to a thriving blue economy while addressing critical challenges in ocean exploration and resource management.
For more information about Seatrec’s award-winning technology and ongoing initiatives, visit www.seatrec.com.
About Seatrec
Seatrec designs and manufactures energy harvesting systems that generate electricity from naturally occurring temperature differences in ocean waters. This renewable energy can be used to power deep water oceanographic research equipment such as floats, gliders, and autonomous underwater vehicles, resulting in the most scalable, cost-effective deep ocean data collection possible. The company is headquartered in Vista, CA. Visit us at www.seatrec.com and @seatrecinc.
Media Contact
Marta Bulaich
marta.bulaich@seatrec.com
+1 (415) 816-165
Seatrec Names Pentagon Alum Jason Stack to Advisory Board
Seatrec Names Pentagon Alum Jason Stack to Advisory Board
Extensive experience in developing and managing advanced autonomous naval and maritime systems will guide the commercialization and deployment of Seatec’s technology across the defense, research, and Blue Economy domains
VISTA, Calif. – WEBWIRE – Thursday, April 4, 2024. Seatrec, a renewable energy company that harvests energy from temperature differences in the environment, today announces the appointment of Jason Stack, Ph.D., an engineer and former Deputy Director of the Navy’s Unmanned Task Force at the Pentagon, to its advisory board.
“We’re rapidly commercializing autonomous systems powered by the ocean’s temperature differences for critical research and defense, as well as those that will help expand the Blue Economy,” points out Yi Chao, Ph.D., CEO and founder of Seatrec. “Jason’s unparalleled expertise gained from a distinguished career in the US Navy is a tremendous resource to help us accomplish our mission.”
Stack’s time at the Pentagon included multiple formal appointments within NATO including the US National Representative for Systems, Concepts, and Integration within the NATO Science & Technology Organization. Following his role at the Pentagon, he is co-founding a startup in the maritime space - still in stealth - and works as the company’s CTO.
He began his career designing and prototyping heavy equipment and industrial electronics at two manufacturing companies before earning his Ph.D. and moving to the Department of Defense (DoD). During his two-decade career at the DoD, Stack led programs at the Office of Naval Research (ONR) in maritime platform, sensor, perception, effector, and autonomy development. He then transitioned to an executive role where he acted as ONR’s Technical Director and served as director of the Ocean, Atmosphere, and Space Research Division before taking up his post at the Pentagon.
“Autonomous systems hold great potential for filling important capability gaps across a host of research, defense, and maritime missions but a reliance on batteries limits their endurance,” explains Stack. “Seatrec’s technology provides abundant power that is clean and sustainable to free those systems to reach their potential by providing robust function sets with near limitless endurance.”
Seatrec’s pioneering energy harvesting system uses phase change materials to harness energy from temperature differences between the ocean’s various depths. These materials contract and expand creating pressure that’s captured and converted into electricity. The clean, virtually limitless power enables scientists to integrate power-intensive sensors into its infiniTE™ float that were previously restricted by battery capabilities and lifespans.
Seatrec counts the US Navy’s Office of Naval Research among its early backers and in 2022 launched a project in partnership with the Naval Postgraduate School to integrate hydrophones into autonomous, ocean-going robots.
In 2023, the company was selected for the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) Propel Hawai’i Accelerator. The program is a partnership between the NSIN and Decisive Point in collaboration with the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet—the world’s largest fleet command encompassing 100 million square miles. Seatrec was selected from a competitive field of over 200 early-stage companies to join an elite cohort of enterprises developing cutting-edge technologies to help the modernization needs of the US Navy and the broader DoD community.
About Seatrec
Seatrec designs and manufactures energy harvesting systems that generate electricity from naturally occurring temperature differences in ocean waters. This renewable energy can be used to power deep water oceanographic research equipment such as floats, gliders, and autonomous underwater vehicles, resulting in the most scalable, cost-effective deep ocean data collection possible. Incorporated in 2016 by CEO, Dr. Yi Chao, Seatrec’s technology originated at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, to provide clean power for remote off-grid locations. The company is headquartered in Vista, CA. Visit us at www.seatrec.com and @seatrecinc.
Media Contact
Sean Yokomizo
Seatrec, Inc.
sean.yokomizo@seatrec.com
+1 925.878.1200
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Seatrec Names Retired Rear Admiral John Neagley to Advisory Board
Seatrec Names Retired Rear Admiral John Neagley to Advisory Board
The 35-year veteran of the US Navy brings unique experience in leading organizations and teams in developing and operationalizing complex maritime technologies with particular focus on the Blue Economy
Seatrec, a renewable energy company that harvests energy from temperature differences in the environment, today announces the appointment of retired Rear Admiral and Founder/Principal of Blue Native Consulting, John Neagley, to its advisory board.
“John’s long and distinguished career in the Navy saw him successfully lead complex operations and the development of new technologies amid high stakes and high standards,” explains Yi Chao, Ph.D., CEO and founder of Seatrec. “His understanding of what it takes to succeed in a maritime environment and his passion for developing the Blue Economy is a perfect fit with our mission of providing clean, renewable energy to existing and novel applications.”
Neagley’s three-and-a-half decades of experience in the Navy saw him command a Navy Destroyer and serve on a number of surface combatants, including those that participated in Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Desert Fox. Following his time at sea, Neagley managed a host of Naval research, development, and procurement projects, including acting as the executive officer for Littoral Combat Ships (PEO LCS). Before his retirement, he oversaw the Program Executive Office, Unmanned and Small Combatants (PEO USC) that set the course and scope of responsibilities for both manned and unmanned systems.
“The maritime environment is demanding and providing clean, renewable power to the most remote areas has always been a limiting factor,” points out Neagley. “Seatrec’s technology opens up exciting possibilities for maritime applications and for expanding the Blue Economy.”
Seatrec’s pioneering energy harvesting system uses phase change materials to harness energy from temperature differences between the ocean’s various depths. These materials contract and expand creating pressure that’s captured and converted into electricity. The clean, virtually limitless power enables scientists to integrate power-intensive sensors into its infiniTE™ float that typically require shore-supplied power or direct ship support via tethering.
The company counts the US Navy’s Office of Naval Research among its early backers and recently launched a project in partnership with the Naval Postgraduate School to study the impact of noise pollution on the ocean environments powered by Seatrec’s technology.
About Seatrec
Seatrec designs and manufactures energy harvesting systems that generate electricity from naturally occurring temperature differences in ocean waters. This renewable energy can be used to power deep water oceanographic research equipment such as floats, gliders, and autonomous underwater vehicles, resulting in the most scalable, cost-effective deep ocean data collection possible. Incorporated in 2016 by CEO, Dr. Yi Chao, Seatrec’s technology originated at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, to provide clean power for remote off-grid locations. The company is headquartered in Vista, CA. Visit us at www.seatrec.com and @seatrecinc.
Media Contact
Sean Yokomizo
Seatrec, Inc.
sean.yokomizo@seatrec.com
+1 925.878.1200
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Seatrec Names Johan Bergenas to Advisory Board
Seatrec Names Johan Bergenas to Advisory Board
Bergenas joins the board as a sustainability advisor bringing deep substantive, technology, and policy experience to boost Seatrec’s ocean data collection mission with their newly launched infiniTE™Float
VISTA, Calif. (Feb. 20, 2024) – Seatrec, a renewable energy company that harvests energy from temperature differences in the environment, today announces the appointment of Johan Bergenas to its Advisory Board as a sustainability advisor. Bergenas is the Senior Vice President of Oceans at the World Wildlife Fund and has served in several senior positions at the intersection of environmental policy, technology, and innovation.
“Johan brings a deep commitment to protecting the health of the oceans, as well as a wealth of experience in building and operating businesses that create positive change,” says Yi Chao, Ph.D., CEO and founder of Seatrec. “His insight and guidance will serve us well as we continue to expand the commercialization of our clean, renewable energy technology to significantly increase ocean data collection possibilities for scientific and commercial endeavors.”
Prior to Bergenas’ role overseeing World Wildlife Fund programs focused on ocean health, climate resilience, and environmental security, he worked at Paul Allen’s Vulcan developing, launching, and scaling science and technology programs worldwide. A former technology startup co-founder and CEO, Bergenas also led programming at the intersection of the environment, national security, and technology at the Stimson Center and the Monterey Institute.
“The health of the world’s oceans is in crisis and we need new, innovative solutions to help better understand and protect the oceans while ensuring the livelihoods of those who depend on its bounty,” explains Bergenas. “Seatrec’s infiniTE™ float is the first subsea robot powered by clean and renewable energy. This sustainable float enables scientists to profile more frequently and integrate high power sensors to capture data previously impossible on existing solutions.”
Seatrec’s pioneering energy harvesting system uses phase change materials to harness energy from temperature differences between the ocean’s various depths. These materials contract and expand creating pressure that’s captured and converted into electricity. The clean, virtually limitless energy allows scientists to power autonomous vehicles and sensors away from shore without direct ship support.
The company recently won funding from NOAA to build an autonomous profiling float powered by the ocean’s temperature differences to study the underwater soundscape and announced a separate initiative in partnership with the University of Southern Mississippi to deploy floats in the Gulf of Mexico to improve hurricane forecasting and monitor the critically endangered Rice’s Whale. Last year, Seatrec announced the commercial launch of a first-of-its-kind modular platform that provides power to support “plug-and-play” sensor suites.
About Seatrec
Seatrec designs and manufactures energy harvesting systems that generate electricity from naturally occurring temperature differences in ocean waters. This renewable energy can be used to power deep water oceanographic research equipment such as floats, gliders, and autonomous underwater vehicles, resulting in the most scalable, cost-effective deep ocean data collection possible. Incorporated in 2016 by CEO, Dr. Yi Chao, Seatrec’s technology originated at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, to provide clean power for remote off-grid locations. The company is headquartered in Vista, CA. Visit us at www.seatrec.com and @seatrecinc.
Media Contact
Sean Yokomizo
Seatrec, Inc.
sean.yokomizo@seatrec.com
+1 925.878.1200
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