GA-EMS demos ALPS to power underwater ROV

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) has successfully completed the first end-to-end demonstration of its aluminium power system (ALPS), powering an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) at its test tank facility in San Diego.

During the demonstration, a submerged ALPS provided hydrogen and oxygen to a Teledyne Energy Systems fuel cell, which provided electrical power to propel an ROV.

ALPS provides an energy-dense power source for manned and unmanned undersea vehicles. The system provides a clean, reliable power source for long endurance missions and underwater operations.

The results and data collected during the demonstration will allow the company to continue testing and advance ALPS to meet future undersea platform energy requirements.

Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS, said: ‘This demonstration marks a major milestone for us, illustrating for the first time that ALPS can be successfully integrated to supply hydrogen and oxygen to fuel cells to generate electrical power and drive an underwater vehicle.

‘ALPS is a unique, high energy density system intended to provide up to ten times the energy output of similar battery volume. With its unlimited shelf life, safe handling, and high energy density, ALPS can truly enable underwater ‘refuelling stations’ to support long-term underwater vehicle operations.’