Weco Deployed Wave-Powered Buoy at Maritime Exercise
The Denshi 2.0 buoy successfully harvested ocean energy during the NATO-led REPMUS 2026 exercise in Portugal.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Consumer Electronics
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Weco tested its Denshi 2.0 wave-powered buoy in the Atlantic Ocean during the REPMUS 2026 maritime exercise. The device serves to provide sustained power for at-sea systems without the need for manual refueling.
Why it matters
The system offers a path to eliminate the frequent logistics of battery replacement for remote maritime technology. By harvesting ocean energy, the device supports long-term operations for both defense and civil applications.
The Denshi 2.0 measures approximately one meter in diameter and can generate power in wave heights as low as 0.3 meters. It utilizes a rack-and-pinion system to power internal compute and communication hardware, including LTE, 4G, and 5G connectivity.
The players
Weco
Weco is an energy technology company specializing in wave-powered solutions for marine infrastructure.
Dutch Ministry of Defense
The Dutch Ministry of Defense is the government department responsible for the armed forces of the Netherlands and supported this deployment.
The details
The buoy deploys from a small vessel on a single-point mooring and functions by converting kinetic motion from waves into electricity. The unit integrates a battery alongside its processing systems to maintain consistent energy output during maritime deployments.
Timeline
The REPMUS 2026 exercise took place from August 31 to September 25, 2026.
The Tech Race
The testing of the Denshi 2.0 buoy follows a pattern set by the REPMUS 2026 exercise, which focuses on the rapid integration of emerging maritime technologies. This development marks a shift away from traditional battery-dependent marine systems toward self-sustaining, energy-harvesting hardware.
The success of this buoy could eventually lead to more reliable ocean-based data networks, improving connectivity for maritime research and climate monitoring. Users of such systems may see lower operational costs as the need for frequent site visits to replace batteries or refuel is eliminated.
The takeaway
Wave energy harvesting represents a viable strategy for powering remote marine equipment without human intervention. Implementing these autonomous systems can significantly reduce the logistical burden of maintaining electronic devices in harsh, offshore environments.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in Consumer Electronics.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ocean News & Technology.
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Should nations prioritize the use of automated, wave-powered systems for monitoring critical underwater infrastructure?
