The solar division of Kyocera International, Inc., part of the international Kyocera Corporation, known for, among other things, Kyocera’s solar panels in marine and coastal areas, is powering an innovative Ocean Internet of Things (IoT) remote data monitoring platform off the coast of Huntington Beach, Calif.
Developed by eMarine Systems for the 100-acre Catalina Sea Ranch, the new NOMAD sea buoy is able to take the “pulse” of a specific area in the ocean. Gaining worldwide attention, the buoy features IoT sensors that transmit a variety of marine data in realtime to the wireless cloud, providing government agencies, the scientific community and research institutions a web-based analysis of the ocean, said a press release.
A Sea-Bird MicroCAT sensor on the buoy monitors water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, phytoplankton density and sensor depth. Real time cameras mounted to the mast provide security for the aquaculture ranch, and the buoy’s internal battery voltage and processor temperature are remotely monitored to help ensure optimal performance. In the future, the buoy will measure pH levels and pings from acoustic tags placed on marine mammals by researchers. It will also feature additional above- and below-water live camera feeds.
The buoy is an aluminum boat 10 feet wide and 20 feet long with equipment and batteries below deck. Four Kyocera 145W solar panels and a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) are supported by solar charge controllers and a battery monitor, which network together to provide power for the buoy’s remote monitoring capability.
“Kyocera has more than 40 years of expertise producing PV solar panels that are widely known for durability and reliability, features that are also present in our ruggedized smartphones and long-life office document equipment,” said Cecilia Aguillon, Director of market development for Kyocera International, Inc.’s Solar Energy Group. “Our solar modules are made to withstand harsh conditions in both aquaculture and agriculture environments, to help bring innovative solutions like the NOMAD buoy to life.”
Image Credit: Kyocera