Utilizing Energy Storage to Enable Optimized CO2 Monitoring/Hydrocarbon Leak Detection Through AUV Charging and Communications Stations

Abstract The autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) market is experiencing steady growth driven by technological advancements and the need for efficient, safer and cost-effective underwater operations. Over the last forty years, AUVs have witnessed significant advances in terms of navigation, sensors, communication, and data processing capabilities, as well as having established docking systems for remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous systems for long-distance surveying. The focus of this paper will be on a flexible input, multi-Kilowatt hour seabed battery system which builds on multiple recent and resident AUV demonstration projects, featuring battery and renewable energy powered docking stations with temporary and permanent underwater residency of AUVs for carbon dioxide (CO2) monitoring and hydrocarbon leak detection. The benefits of the system will be explored including enabling long term deployment of monitoring and surveillance equipment, AUV residency for inspection regimes and providing the interface from subsea equipment to surface communications. The infield charging and communications station system will therefore allow AUVs to dock, recharge the AUV batteries, upload mission data and receive new mission parameters without requiring manual offshore intervention, with less reliance on carbon-intensive traditional vessels and less susceptibility to adverse surface weather conditions.