OPT-Modus-Saab Seaeye Subsea Vehicle Residency Solution

Ocean Power Technologies, Modus Seabed Intervention and Saab Seaeye are working on a new solution for carbon-free subsea autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) residency – long-term, persistent deployment without support from manned vessels.

This novel system is designed for carbon-free autonomous offshore operations with the OPT PowerBuoy power and communications platform at its core.

Via an innovative integrated mooring and subsea power/data transmission cable, a PowerBuoy can provide carbon-free power to a seabed docking station to recharge an autonomous underwater vehicle while enabling secure data transmission to and from shore-based operations located anywhere in the world.

The autonomous resident AUV system concept has been jointly submitted for U.S. government development and demonstration project funding consideration.

“We believe a self-contained system powered by an OPT PowerBuoy and exempt from existing ocean infrastructure has the potential to revolutionize the industrial use of AUVs and make long-term residency a cost-effective reality,” said George Kirby, OPT president and CEO.

“Modus Seabed Intervention’s experience with advanced technology development efforts in subsea docking with Saab Seaeye’s market-leading hybrid AUV (HAUV) enables autonomous offshore operations and we believe it is a natural fit for our environmentally sound PowerBuoy ocean power and communications technology,” Kirby added. “We’re looking forward to working together to further support the growing offshore electrification market.”

“We are delighted to be collaborating with OPT and Saab to utilize the PB3 PowerBuoy as a localized power and communications source to support low cost and low carbon subsea residency of HAUVs,” said Jake Tompkins, Modus CEO. “As a leader in the application of HAUVs and having been involved in developing subsea residency for some time we are excited to be a part of this innovative program.”

An autonomously powered interactive docking station independent of traditional infrastructure offers efficiency in routine operations and facilitates timely response to ad hoc events (extreme weather, subsea equipment failure) more rapidly than possible with surface-based vessels.

It is believed that the OPT/Modus/Saab AUV residency system will boast substantial environmental, risk, safety, and cost benefits over incumbent fossil-fuel powered solutions.

This system is novel because it’s truly autonomous. Removing vessels and umbilical links to fossil fuel generation drops carbon emissions and relocates personnel onshore, cutting risk and costs while increasing safety, OPT explains.