Wireless Power Transfer for Unmanned Underwater Vehicles: Technologies, Challenges and Applications

Iñigo Martínez de Alegría (), Iñigo Rozas Holgado (), Edorta Ibarra, Eider Robles and José Luís Martín
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Iñigo Martínez de Alegría: Applied Electronics Research Team (APERT), University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48013 Bilbao, Spain
Iñigo Rozas Holgado: Applied Electronics Research Team (APERT), University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48013 Bilbao, Spain
Edorta Ibarra: Applied Electronics Research Team (APERT), University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48013 Bilbao, Spain
Eider Robles: Tecnalia, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia Astondo Bidea, 48160 Derio, Spain
José Luís Martín: Applied Electronics Research Team (APERT), University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48013 Bilbao, Spain

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 10, 1-34

Abstract: Unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) are key technologies to conduct preventive inspection and maintenance tasks in offshore renewable energy plants. Making such vehicles autonomous would lead to benefits such as improved availability, cost reduction and carbon emission minimization. However, some technological aspects, including the powering of these devices, remain with a long way to go. In this context, underwater wireless power transfer (UWPT) solutions have potential to overcome UUV powering drawbacks. Considering the relevance of this topic for offshore renewable plants, this work aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the state of the art regarding UPWT technologies. A technology intelligence study is conducted by means of a bibliographical survey. Regarding underwater wireless power transfer, the main methods are reviewed, and it is concluded that inductive wireless power transfer (IWPT) technologies have the most potential. These inductive systems are described, and their challenges in underwater environments are presented. A review of the underwater IWPT experiments and applications is conducted, and innovative solutions are listed. Achieving efficient and reliable UWPT technologies is not trivial, but significant progress is identified. Generally, the latest solutions exhibit efficiencies between 88% and 93% in laboratory settings, with power ratings reaching up to 1–3 kW. Based on the assessment, a power transfer within the range of 1 kW appears to be feasible and may be sufficient to operate small UUVs. However, work-class UUVs require at least a tenfold power increase. Thus, although UPWT has advanced significantly, further research is required to industrially establish these technologies.

Keywords: autonomous underwater vehicles; inductive wireless power transfer; underwater docking stations; underwater wireless power transfer; unmanned underwater vehicles (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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