The research project Sustainable Low Power Sensors and Beacon System (LPS) aims to demonstrate the feasibility of a solution applied to Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) leading thus to improve the operating conditions of the missions of such systems by increasing the possibility of autonomous generation of electric energy.
The research solution is based on the use of Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC), integrated with an innovative energy storage system (Supercapacitors), capable of keeping selected sensors active with low energy consumption. This integrated energy system will be installed within an AUV system that will exclusively use this renewable energy source to power the low-power sensor system during its mission and to transmit information to the ground.
The research program aims to create the LPS system, i.e. an autonomous regenerative energy generation system installed on an AUV to enhance the mission through the electrical power supply of the payload made up of sensors, without reducing or modifying the energy charge for underwater vehicle propulsion operations. In particular, the LPS – Sea Beacons submarine signal detection system is a complex set of electronic and mechanical components designed to identify and respond to specific underwater signals. This system is powered by BioBattery cells (Microbial Fuel Cells) and includes various modules for signal management, amplification, filtering and control of the AUV.
