KEYWORDS: Solar energy, Oceanography, Energy harvesting, Animal model studies, Coastal modeling, Solar cells, Data modeling, Sensors, Water, Phase modulation
The capabilities of distributed sensor systems such as marine wildlife telemetry tags could be significantly enhanced through the integration of photovoltaic modules. Photovoltaic cells could be used to supplement the primary batteries for wildlife telemetry tags to allow for extended tag deployments, wherein larger amounts of data could be collected and transmitted in near real time. In this article, we present experimental results used to validate and improve key aspects of our original model for sub-surface solar power. We discuss the test methods and results, comparing analytic predictions to experimental results. In a previous work, we introduced a model for sub-surface solar power that used analytic models and empirical data to predict the solar irradiance available for harvest at any depth under the ocean's surface over the course of a year. This model presented underwater photovoltaic transduction as a viable means of supplementing energy for marine wildlife telemetry tags. The additional data provided by improvements in daily energy budgets would enhance the temporal and spatial comprehension of the host's activities and/or environments. Photovoltaic transduction is one method that has not been widely deployed in the sub-surface marine environments despite widespread use on terrestrial and avian species wildlife tag systems. Until now, the use of photovoltaic cells for underwater energy harvesting has generally been disregarded as a viable energy source in this arena. In addition to marine telemetry systems, photovoltaic energy harvesting systems could also serve as a means of energy supply for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), as well as submersible buoys for oceanographic data collection.
There have been a number of new applications for energy harvesting with the ever-decreasing power consumption
of microelectronic devices. In this paper we explore a new area of marine animal energy harvesting for use in
powering tags known as bio-loggers. These devices record data about the animal or its surroundings, but have
always had limited deployment times due to battery depletion. Reduced solar irradiance below the water's surface
provides the impetus to explore other energy harvesting concepts beyond solar power for use on marine animals.
We review existing tag technologies in relation to this application, specifically relating to energy consumption.
Additionally, we propose a new idea for energy harvesting, using hydrostatic pressure changes as a source for
energy production. We present initial testing results of a bench-top model and show that the daily energy
harvesting potential from this technology can meet or exceed that consumed by current marine bio-logging tags.
The application of this concept in the arena of bio-logging technology could substantially increase bio-logger
deployment lifetimes, allowing for longitudinal studies over the course of multiple breeding and/or migration
cycles.
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