| Popis: |
Abstract Scientific cabled observatory systems have been deployed around the world with significantly increased capabilities over the last five years. The concept and rationale for cabled ocean observatories is introduced with detail on their function as modern and powerful tools used to understand a broad range of ocean science objectives. In addition to science, other applications are discussed, such as site and equipment monitoring for tidal and wave based renewable energy projects. Similarly, the same technology can be applied to oil and gas production (monitoring, control and intervention), along with port and coastal security surveillance. The paper provides an overview of cabled observatory elements with three cabled observatory projects described as examples. It describes the various features and capacities that each system offers to its users. The paper introduces a modular subsea uninterruptable power supply capable of providing 150kWhr of capacity per module. This system can be used in conjunction with cabled observatories to provide load leveling and guaranteed data collection in the event of a cable fault. The paper concludes with applications for cabled observatory systems related to environmental monitoring and well head control in the oil and gas industry. SECTION 1 - CABLED OBSERVATORY OVERVIEW I. INTRODUCTION A cabled ocean observatory is a subsea infrastructure that can stretch for hundreds of kilometers along the ocean floor. Each observatory provides power and communications to arrays of distribution nodes located on the sea floor. The nodes are linked together with telecommunications cable that supplies electrical power and fiber optic communications. Each node provides multiple connection points allowing a wide variety of sensors and other instruments to be interfaced to the system. Internet based communications allows data to be securely routed from each of the node to the user's facility. For the first time, scientists and engineers have access to real-time continuous data from the ocean, right to their office. Cabled observatories are built from a number of modular building blocks, which are described in the following sections. As each application has different requirements, the cabled observatory modules can be arranged in different topologies, with different features. Figure 1 shows an overview of the key modules and an example of how these items may be connected together. II. CABLE OBSERVATORY MODULES A. Shore Station Power and communications is often supplied to a cabled observatory from a purpose built shore station. The shore station provides the appropriate ocean access for the cable landing, power feed equipment (PFE) and media converters to link the subsea fiber to the Internet. A dedicated data back haul maybe required. An uninterruptable power supply (UPS) and data storage can also be included here to improve the system availability. |
