As part of the Pioneer Fall Turn cruise, the team successfully deployed a new Central Surface Mooring at the Pioneer Array – bringing with it both a complete system refresh and an exciting technological addition.
This latest deployment includes a prototype Wave Energy Converter (WEC), developed by Sandia National Laboratories in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI), and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI).
The WEC is designed to generate approximately 10 watts of supplemental power, complementing the energy produced by the mooring’s solar panels and wind turbines. This added capability supports continuous operation of instruments and sensors, especially during periods of limited sunlight or low wind.
Photo Credit: Rebecca Travis, WHOI
Photo Credit: Rebecca Travis, WHOI
Photo Credit: Rebecca Travis, WHOI
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