Page 14: of Marine Technology Magazine (May 2022)

RENEWABLES OFFSHORE & UNDERWATER

A Blue Desert

By Celia Konowe ast year marked the beginning of the United Nations port sensors, operating equipment, subsea vehicles and wind

Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Develop- farms. What’s necessary, therefore, is a way to not only store ment, lasting from 2021 until 2030. With 10 years energy onsite underwater, but to also replenish those systems

Lcomes 10 challenges—goals for regional, national in a renewable and sustainable way — TE Connectivity, a and global participants to work towards for positive, collec- multi-industry connector and sensor engineering company, tive impact on our oceans. Included in the 10 are ocean-based points to grid stability and compensating for times of low pro- solutions for climate change, expanding the Global Ocean duction. Different power sources added to the grid can cause

Observing System, creating a digital representation of the sea, ? uctuation and having power available, short-term, can help and access to data and technology across all marine stakehold- compensate. In times of low power production — when the ers. These and others on the list depend on collecting increas- sun isn’t out or the wind is calm, energy storage is crucial ingly more ocean data. While technology to monitor marine to meet demands. Across the industry, technology companies systems is rapidly adapting and expanding, it surfaces new and research institutes are racing to ? ll the gaps, providing so- issues such as offshore energy generation and storage to sup- lutions from offshore power systems to underwater batteries.

A graphic rendering depicting C-Power’s SeaRAY autonomous offshore power system as con? gured for the demonstration at the U.S.

Navy’s Wave Energy Test © C-Power

Site in Hawaii. 14 May/June 2022

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