SBIR-STTR Award

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Water-Power Technologies Office Marine Hydrokinetic (MHK) Program plans to advance MHK technologies to capture energy from the nation’s oceans and rivers. To evaluate the environmental impacts of MHK installations, low cost and user-friendly monitoring tools and methodologies are sought. However, it is necessary to determine the effects in the vicinity of the devices as well as changes to the sea floor, to assess whether other monitoring should be triggered. Current methods such as ship-based tools for mapping the seabed around MHK installations are expensive and logistically challenging. These are also time consuming and expensive. To address the DOE recommendations, Hydronalix Inc., in collaboration with Oregon State University (OSU) proposes a nimble, remote-controlled robotic vehicle SEARCHER – Sea Remote Controlled Hydrographic Explorer and Recorder to map the seafloor and habitats to assess the effects of MHK installations. The robotic devices will be based on Hydronalix’s robotic rescue devices. The demonstration of this vehicle will first be conducted in inland waters in Arizona and then deployed on the open coast of Oregon where wave energy devices are expected to be deployed. The initial experiments will be conducted in Arizona, followed by similar experiments in Oregon, that will include cameras and other suitable sensors. The automated monitoring and data collection using the SEARCHER vehicle described in this proposal will enable the evaluation of the effects of energy extraction using MHK wave energy devices that could establish the ecological effects of energy extraction. Resulting data will offer new insights into the correlation between the operation of MHK devices and energy extraction in specific locations around the country; such information will be of critical use to operators of MHK devices, department of energy, local communities and other stakeholders. Since these monitoring techniques will not result in any physical interaction with the marine organisms or disturbing them, such changes can be monitored any day or time or season. Additionally, the collaborative partnership in this project will provide opportunities for students, who will conduct pioneering research on their way to stimulating careers.

Environmental impacts of marine hydrokinetic (MHK) installations have to be determined to determine nearfield and far field (due to energy removal) changes to the seafloor to assess whether monitoringshould be triggered. However, current ship-based tools for seafloor mapping are expensive and logistically challenging. Low-cost and user-friendly monitoring tools are sought. In Phase I project, the contractor created a remote controlled, autonomous surface vehicle with side- scan sonar to map the seafloor and biogenic habitats to assess effects of MHKs. A deep site with deployed anchors, and a shallow site with sand dollar beds were imaged. Sand dollar beds form an important coastal biogenic habitat and are sensitive to wave conditions; thus, they are excellent bio-indicators of ecologically significant levels of energy extraction. The device was demonstrated during phase I on the Oregon coast. Side-scan sonar images were obtained in locations indicative of sand dollar beds. Additional demonstrations were also conducted. The team determined that the inspection of the seabed closer to the seafloor would provide higher resolution of seafloor habitat and organisms. The introduction of machine learning could be helpful to extend the understanding of the status of such marine organisms. In the Phase II SBIR project, the team proposes to to refine and demonstrate remotely controlled low-power robotic unmanned devices to identify and map bioindicators using AI recognition and machine learning technology. During Phase II additional sensors and capabilities will be incorporated for image acquisition, analysis, and evaluation, and continue field testing. Imagery will be enhanced by incorporating a lowered towed array to avoid wave interference. The device will be able to hear, measure, image, recognize specific targets, and monitor at multiple water column depths using side-scan, 360- degree camera, reconfigurable Rigid Passive Acoustic Array, turbidity sensors, and Fish ID tracker device. 3D tracking/visualization and automated acquisition of images will enable evaluation of ecological impacts of oceanic energy extraction. Responsive sampling methods will allow the devices to automatically initiate/discontinue measurement and change sampling frequency to prescribed triggering events such as target recognition in real time. A seabed intelligence system incorporating AI of sonar and optical images on the platform will automate the analysis of where sand dollars are present and improve understanding of MHK activities impacts. Beyond MHK monitoring, the device has many commercial applications for offshore inspections and repair. This can replace dive teams and large manned ships for underwater infrastructure and integrity inspection, increasing safety and efficiency while reducing costs and manpower.