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  Hydrokinetic News

Wave power developer making progress in 1.5MW Oregon project

OPT has been testing its technology in Spain, and is expecting to start testing a larger version in Oregon next year

Work developing a commercial-scale wave power generator off the coast of Oregon remains on schedule for ocean testing to start in 2011.

Wave power developer Ocean Power Technologies said this week that construction of the steel structure for its first 150-kilowatt “PowerBuoy” device is advancing as planned at local company Oregon Iron Works.

Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2010.

Ultimately, the project is expected to see 10 of the PB150 machines built, adding up to 1.5 megawatts of generating capacity planned for the site in the Pacific by Reedsport.

As it detailed its financial performance up to April 30, 2010, the firm also noted that it is continuing to study the feasibility of building a wave power generating station near Coos Bay, Oregon, which could eventually see up to 100MW of generating capacity developed.

The project is in the initial stages of public and agency review.

OPT’s technology involves floating buoys that are tethered to the seafloor, which rise and fall with the waves to drive a generator.

The company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the State of Oregon, which sets out principles for the development of wave power capacity in state waters.

Testing

OPT, which has already deployed a 40-kilowatt PowerBuoy system in Hawaii in a program working with the US Navy, is due to test out its technology in various sites in Europe from later this year, and has already tested out an Undersea Substation Pod in Spanish waters, which is used to connect the wave power devices up to the grid.

Among the company’s achievements in the past year, it won a $2.4 million contract with the US Navy as an initial part of an expected $10-$15 million project to develop a wave-powered defense system.

Using its PowerBuoy technology, the project aims to develop a system to detect ocean-going vessels with sensor equipment powered with renewable energy.

Design work is now being reviewed.

OPT is also working to develop its technology for use in Japan and Australia in partnership with local firms there.

The company said it has a strong balance sheet despite the global credit crunch, cutting its “cash burn” to $15.9 million compared to $19.5 million for the 12 months up to April 2009.

Charles Dunleavy, OPT Chief Executive, said: “This has been a pivotal year for OPT during which we made solid progress in advancing our existing projects as well as achieving major breakthroughs in our target markets worldwide.”