Design and Development of an Unmanned/Autonomous Ocean Surface Vehicle using Self-Sustaining Dual Renewable Energy Harvesting System

Abstract

This study pioneers a breakthrough in sustainable energy solutions by developing a cutting-edge system for powering autonomous Smart Ocean surface vehicles. The research delves into the exploration of renewable energy harvesting techniques, specifically focusing on solar and hydro flow energy systems, with the aim of creating a self-sustaining power infrastructure. Through rigorous experimentation and modeling, we design and implement a versatile test rig setup to analyze the efficacy of these techniques under varying surface water conditions. Additionally, we investigate and assess distributed solar power systems ranging from 100W to 700W, as well as hydro flow power systems within the same power range, to ascertain their viability for real-world applications. Furthermore, we engineer and optimize the necessary electronic hardware utilizing IoT and industrygrade components, enabling efficient harnessing of dual renewable energy sources to power propulsion systems for our autonomous vehicles. This research introduces novel approaches to energy sustainability for autonomous ocean surface vehicles. The study disregards traditional methods and instead aims to unveil unconventional solutions for powering these vehicles. Through a series of experimental investigations, we seek to redefine the boundaries of renewable energy utilization in marine environments. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and industry-grade components, our work aims to establish a new paradigm in the propulsion systems of autonomous oceanic vehicles.