PNNL

Abstract

To enable the high spatial and temporal resolution of oceanographic data that the science and meteorological communities are asking, an approach to scalable buoys is needed. With the number of active buoys increasing by a factor of 100 or more, the impact on the environment becomes even more important. Here, we identify the main criteria to be used when developing such buoys to be low cost, reliable data, and neutral or even positive environmental impact. For each buoy subsystem - hull, electronics, energy generation and storage, sensors, and communication system - cutting edge technological solutions are presented, many of them from other disciplines. We then assess the potential solutions against the design criteria, and plot a path toward small, environmentally friendly, low cost, and low power buoys.