Power At Sea DEVELOP Phase

This project develops a renewable, wave-powered charging system designed to extend the mission duration of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles by eliminating the need for frequent manual battery replacement. Building upon a prior oscillating water column prototype from the CONCEPT phase, the team redesigned and tested an improved system capable of converting wave-induced air motion into electrical power using a Wells turbine. Key enhancements include doubling the column diameter to increase displaced air volume, integrating a flared inlet and bi-directional nozzle to improve airflow, and selecting corrosion-resistant materials suitable for long-term deployment in marine environments. Multiple prototypes were constructed and evaluated through controlled pool tests and field tests at local lakes, demonstrating measurable power generation of 0.47 Wh per cycle with a PC-fan turbine substitute and confirming the potential for substantial performance gains using a purpose-built turbine. The system is designed to be modular, serviceable, and scalable from watts to kilowatts, enabling flexible deployment for various AUV power demands.