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Final Project

Project Idea - a Wind and Solar Energy Powered Electric Boat for Caspain Sea Research

Brief Introduction

Brief Introduction

This project envisions the development of an autonomous twin-hull marine drone—a self-navigating, electric-powered vessel featuring a catamaran-style structure optimized for stability, energy efficiency, and modular functionality. Powered by an integrated system of wind turbines and solar panels, the drone is designed to undertake long-duration missions to monitor ocean health and remove plastic and other surface pollutants. The twin-hull configuration provides an ideal platform for integrating smart environmental sensors, vacuum-based collection modules, and real-time data systems, ensuring efficient operation in both coastal and open-sea conditions. The overarching goal is to deliver a scalable and sustainable solution for combating marine pollution while supporting advanced oceanographic research and ecosystem protection.

The design and concept of this project have been shaped through close analysis of several pioneering marine innovation initiatives:

  • Bluebird Marine Systems has conducted extensive research into wind-powered ships and marine renewable energy. Their concepts inspired the integration of vertical-axis wind turbines into autonomous marine vessels for sustainable propulsion and power generation. - Bluebird Marine Systems

  • The solar-powered vacuum concept presented by Ecowatch demonstrated the feasibility of autonomous, renewable-energy-driven systems capable of removing significant quantities of plastic from the oceans. This concept directly influenced the proposed plastic collection module. - The solar-powered vacuum concept

  • The “Thomas the Marine Engine” initiative, featured by New Scientist, showed how compact and efficient propulsion systems can be used for exploring sensitive marine environments, helping guide the propulsion design for our drone. - Thomas the Marine Engine

  • The SeaVax and Seabin projects illustrated practical applications of autonomous waste collection using vacuum pumps and cyclonic separation. These projects validated the idea of deploying such technologies in dynamic marine environments. - The SeaVax and Seabin projects

  • offered scalable and modular concepts for marine cleanup vessels, aligned with sustainable development goals. Their design logic and use-case flexibility were critical in shaping our drone’s modular system. - MultiVax and RiverVax

  • The SeaVax Model Development page by Bluebird Electric provided highly detailed information on solar-powered robotic vacuum systems and cyclonic filtration technologies for marine plastic cleanup. These insights guided the engineering integration of our vacuum system. - The SeaVax Model Development

  • The evolution of Marine Advanced Research Inc. into Marine Advanced Robotics Inc. highlighted the transition from concept to commercialization of advanced marine vehicles, reinforcing the long-term scalability and market potential of our system. - Marine Advanced Robotics Inc

Building on the innovations and lessons learned from these trailblazing efforts, this project introduces an Autonomous Twin-Hull Marine Drone fully powered by wind and solar energy. It is engineered for continuous environmental monitoring, plastic debris collection, and oil-spill detection, with a specific focus on the Caspian Sea. By combining renewable energy autonomy with smart sensing and robotics, this marine drone offers a forward-looking, cost-effective platform for tackling marine pollution. Unlike conventional research vessels or static cleanup devices, it is designed for long-range deployment, minimal human intervention, and adaptability across diverse aquatic environments. The project aspires to make a significant contribution to the restoration and protection of the Caspian Sea while advancing the global discourse on sustainable maritime innovation.

Key features include:

  • Wind turbines and solar panels for hybrid power generation, ensuring 24/7 off-grid operation

  • Plastic and oil-spill detection sensors for monitoring marine health in real time

  • Autonomous navigation for adaptive routing and minimal human intervention

Project Development Stages

  • Computer-aided design

  • Designing challenges to create the Boat’s surface part that can hold two solar panels

  • Designing challenges to create the Boat’s bottom part that can hold two motors

  • Computer-controlled cutting

  • Embedded programming

  • 3D scanning and printing

  • Electronics design

  • Computer-controlled machining

  • Electronics production

  • Input devices

  • Output devices

  • Networking and communications

  • Mechanical design

  • Machine design

  • Molding and casting

  • Interface and application programming

  • System integration