Concept art of an underwater radioisotope energy system
Nuclear power has been linked to maritime exploration almost since its origin as a viable energy source. Today, the company Zeno Power looks to revisit the underwater applications of nuclear energy in a novel way to promote exploration and defense of maritime territory.
The DEPTHS (Distributed Energy Provided Throughout the Seas) program, sponsored by the Department of Defense, aims to demonstrate a distributed power grid that can be deployed on the sea floor, using a radioisotope energy system.
Unlike a typical nuclear reactor, which produces energy by actively inducing a nuclear fission reaction in fissile elements like uranium, a radioisotope harnesses the passive heat given off through radioactive decay of artificial radioisotopes, such as plutonium or strontium. This means that, although the total power output of one of these generators is much lower than that of a reactor, a radioisotope thermal generator requires no operator and little maintenance and will be able to produce a constant power output for many years.
In fact, these characteristics of radioisotope energy systems make them well-suited for use in extraterrestrial exploration, and these types of systems have been used in NASA probes and rovers. Zeno Power will also be pursuing the development of a system for use in satellites.
Moreover, these characteristics also make a radioisotope energy system perfect for deployment underwater. If the DEPTHS program succeeds, it will allow companies and governments to develop nodes for energy generation and distribution at the bottom of the ocean. This could help power sensory systems to monitor and survey the depths of the ocean and could pave the way for autonomous undersea vehicles, which would be able to dock and charge at radioisotope energy nodes.
Whether used to explore the depths of our planet, or the heights of space, the development of radioisotope energy systems will help humanity reach new frontiers.
Sources and further readings:
Zeno wins $7.5M contract for underwater radioactive power system (geekwire.com)
Zeno demonstrates radioisotope heat source for off-grid power (geekwire.com)