The reporter learned on the 20th from China Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Group that China has successfully developed its first domestically produced deep-sea ocean temperature difference self-powered drifting buoy prototype. This breakthrough is a significant step toward realizing the concept of an "underwater permanent motion robot." The technology is now among the world's leading edge and will be integrated into the Global Ocean Observing Program, known as the Argo Project.
The Argo project aims to collect detailed, accurate, and widespread data on the upper ocean—extending from the surface down to 2,000 meters. The initiative plans to deploy a buoy every three degrees of latitude and longitude across the global ocean, creating a vast network of thousands of buoys. These devices measure key parameters such as water temperature, salinity, and pressure, providing critical insights into ocean dynamics and climate change.
To achieve long-term and stable data collection, these buoys must be low-cost, durable, and require minimal maintenance. However, current models are powered by lithium batteries, which are expensive, have a limited lifespan of only 3 to 5 years, and pose environmental risks when they fail.
To address these challenges and extend the life of the equipment while reducing environmental impact, scientists have turned to the ocean’s natural renewable energy sources. According to Tian Zhenhua, a senior engineer at China Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd. (710), the ocean holds vast amounts of energy in the form of tidal, wave, and temperature difference energy. Among these, temperature difference energy stands out for its large reserves, reliability, and clean nature. It is especially well-suited for Argo buoys, which move vertically in the ocean.
Despite its potential, converting this energy into usable power is a complex process, involving multiple disciplines such as materials science, control systems, electromechanics, and engineering. After four years of research and development, the 710 team, the sole buoy supplier certified by the Argo Group, collaborated with the Institute of Meteorology and Oceanography at the National University of Defense Technology. They successfully mastered key technologies like ocean temperature power generation, phase change point control, and phase change tube energy storage, obtaining several patents in the process.
The newly developed buoy prototype can be equipped with various sensors, including CTD (temperature, salinity, depth), dissolved oxygen, pH, acoustic, and optical sensors. Its core technology offers a sustainable and powerful energy source, paving the way for more advanced marine exploration equipment in the future. This innovation not only strengthens China’s position in ocean observation but also contributes to global efforts in understanding and protecting our oceans.
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