A control system for a marine vessel that includes a drive source and an operator that receives an operation is able to switch a control mode of the drive source without providing an additional operator. An operation received by the operator when the drive source is resting is disabled, and a function of switching a control mode of the drive source is assigned to the operation of the operator that is received when the drive source is resting.

An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability. High-voltage DC power conversion and distribution circuitry improves the efficiency of VRE power transfer into the system.

An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability. High-voltage DC power conversion and distribution circuitry improves the efficiency of VRE power transfer into the system.

A combined paddle and pump can be used to propel a small boat. The handle telescopes with a locking nut that may be loosened to allow extension and retraction of the handle. The handle is hollow throughout and a pair of check valves are provided. One check valve opens when the handle is extended and the other opens when the handle is retracted. When one check valve is open, the other is closed. When the distal end of the paddle is placed within a volume of water or exposed to atmospheric, extension and retraction of the handle results in a fluid first being sucked into the hollow interior of the handle and then propelled out of the handle. A seal assembly prevents debris from binding tubes of the handle.

A combined paddle and pump can be used to propel a small boat. The handle telescopes with a locking nut that may be loosened to allow extension and retraction of the handle. The handle is hollow throughout and a pair of check valves are provided. One check valve opens when the handle is extended and the other opens when the handle is retracted. When one check valve is open, the other is closed. When the distal end of the paddle is placed within a volume of water or exposed to atmospheric, extension and retraction of the handle results in a fluid first being sucked into the hollow interior of the handle and then propelled out of the handle. A seal assembly prevents debris from binding tubes of the handle.

An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability. High-voltage DC power conversion and distribution circuitry improves the efficiency of VRE power transfer into the system.

An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability. High-voltage DC power conversion and distribution circuitry improves the efficiency of VRE power transfer into the system.

An anchor installation vehicle that includes a vehicle frame having a top end and bottom end, one or more rotational thrusters, and an anchor system configured to hold an anchor extending from the bottom end of the vehicle frame.

An anchor installation vehicle that includes a vehicle frame having a top end and bottom end, one or more rotational thrusters, and an anchor system configured to hold an anchor extending from the bottom end of the vehicle frame.

A marine monitoring and debris collection scow is provided, the scow comprising: a hull which includes an open stern, a bow opposite the open stern, a deck extending between the open stern and the bow and forming a bottom on an underside, the bottom extending between the open stern and the bow; a frame, the frame which is attached to the deck, the frame including a front, a back which is opposite the front and sides extending between the front and the back; at least one flotation chamber which extends around the sides and the front of the frame and forms a gunwale; a housing mounted on the deck; and a microcontroller unit housed in the housing, the microcontroller unit configured to receive a data set from at least one sensor, to store the data set, to process the data set into a processed data set and to send the processed data set to a radio.