New Tools for Easing System Integration, Deployment, Monitoring and Maintenance of Ocean Energy Devices

Abstract

This  paper  describes  a  set  of  novel  aiding  tools and     technologies     for     system     integration,     deployment, monitoring and maintenance of ocean energy devices. The main component  of  the  system  is  smart  remotely  operated  vehicle ROVLATIS–  a  novel,  multi-mode  of  operation  marine  robotics vehicle,  developed  at  Mobile  &  Marine  Robotics  Research Centre   (MMRRC),   UL   for   operational   flexibility   in   high-resolution  near  seabed  survey  from  shallow  inshore  waters  out to  the  continental  shelf  edge.  The  assistive  visualisation  and control  tools,  proposed  in  this  paper,  allow  operators  to  have better  situation  awareness  and  enhanced  vehicle  control  in presence of disturbances. Flexible design of these tools enables their  use  as  separate  modules,  as  well  as  their  integration  into unique  system.  Ocean  energy  technologies  play  an  important part  in  meeting  target  that  third of  Irish  electricity  is  generated from renewable sources by 2020. Proposed assistive tools could help  developers  of  ocean  energy  devices  in  meeting  this  target during different stages of design, deployment and operation.