netH2O: smart buoys to monitor marine energy installations

The netH2O platform includes buoys, drones and a web+mobile infrastructure to collect and redistribute data.

The netH2O-P is a modular smart buoy, which can host a variety of sensors. It is simple, sturdy an cheap, and can be operated by non technical personnel. Using a patented solution, it can be deployed for very long duration, without the need for maintenance, and is therefore perfect for monitoring of marine energy installations without adding complexity and operational costs.

The basic configuration has a temperature sensor, a GPS and an inertial Motion Unit with which it can estimate waves and currents and a microphone to listen to underwater sounds. It is also equipped with WiFi, Lora and Cellular (3G/2G) as main communication channels.

For marine energy applications, a version which includes underwater webcam, above-water photos, solar panels and acoustic monitoring might be the right point where to start.

In marine energy applications, it can receive data (either wirelessly or through a cable) from the marine energy devices and collect its own. It will then transmit the data to relevant stakeholders, which can include controlling authorities of device operators.

The netH2O can also act as a data relay for the marine energy devices, offloading from them all remote communications.