SunStation™
Light-powered subsea readout
The SunStation is a breakthrough for providing a long-term power source for instrumentation in deep water. With battery life limits what they are, SunStation is the only way to permanently mount an instrument that isn't hard wired to the surface. So far, SunStation's main applications have all been for measuring cathodic protection: on structures, pipelines, and on anodes (when attaching to either of the former is too difficult). Here are some specific applications for CP monitoring with SunStation (pictured right):
1. Subsea trees and manifolds
Using zinc reference electrodes (called V-String electrodes) at key locations on the manifold, the SunStation CP test panel is mounted at a place convenient for the ROV to interrogate the readouts. A cathodic protection survey can be completed quickly any time an ROV is in the area.
2. Unburied pipelines and deep water flow-lines
The self-contained SmartClamp monitoring station comprises a SunStation fitted to Deepwater’s RetroClamp. It can be installed by diver or ROV on any tubular – here, a pipeline.
3. Anode Pod Monitoring
The SmartPod anode pod with built-in SunStation monitor is a retrofit cathodic protection system. Measuring the cathodic protection levels at the anode allows just as comprehensive an understanding of the performance as an inspection of the asset itself – here, two subsea trees.
4. Buried Deepwater Pipelines
The SmartStation™ is comprised of Polatrak dual reference cells (Zn and Ag/AgCl mounted on retrofit clamps) and a pair of SunStation monitors mounted into a low-profile over-fishable instrument housing, which could also be used as an anode sled (in retrofit applications). This system can be installed and interrogated by ROV.
Other potential applications are endless, as the SunStation can be connected to any device with DC output. In the realm of cathodic protection, the SunStation could be used to monitor CP on FPS/FPSO moorings or as an external readout for internal locations (soft tanks, center wells, up inside annular spaces of turrets or I-Tubes, etc).
The instrument is rated to either 300m or 3000m, and has an ultra-bright LED readout that is easily visible from any viewing angle. Deepwater is actively seeking partners to develop alternate applications of this technology. If you have an idea for the use of solar panels under water, to power instrumentation of any type, please contact us.
