OPT begins ocean trials for 150kW wave power generator

May 10, 2011

A second PB150 is under construction in the US for an anticipated utility-scale project in Oregon

Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. has announced the commencement of ocean trials in Scotland of the first of its new generation utility-scale PowerBuoy device, the PB150.

With a peak-rated power output of 150 kilowatts – equivalent to the energy consumption of approximately 150 homes – the PB150 is the largest and most powerful wave power device designed by New Jersey-based OPT to date.

The ocean trials are being conducted at a site approximately 33 nautical miles from Invergordon, off Scotland’s northeast coast, and are expected to last up to three months.

A broad range of operations and functional tests are being performed. A second PB150 is under construction in the US for an anticipated utility-scale project in Oregon, and the Company is involved in other planned projects in North America, Australia, Japan and Europe that would utilize the PB150 PowerBuoy.

The power produced to date in this commissioning phase has been as planned, and is consistent with the test protocols and OPT’s predictive models for the wave environment experienced.

This power generation data further validates the company’s experience with its grid-connected Hawaii PowerBuoy system, demonstrating the PowerBuoy’s ability to produce the level of power expected to be generated in varying conditions, and to predict power accurately for different-sized PowerBuoys, at a range of sites.

Charles F. Dunleavy, Chief Executive Officer of OPT, said: “Working closely with local partners, our US and UK engineering and marine operations teams have done a superb job of executing the design, build, test and deployment of the first PB150 device in Scotland.

“This achievement represents a pivotal stage in the Company’s commercialization of its PowerBuoy technology. The sea-trials are progressing well and, along with the PB150’s independent certification by Lloyd’s Register, underscore our efforts to consistently lay the groundwork for ocean-survivable systems and predictable wave power generation.

“OPT now has two PowerBuoys operating in separate oceans: our grid-connected PowerBuoy in Hawaii, and this one in Scotland. With the construction of the second PB150 PowerBuoy, to be deployed in Reedsport, Oregon, our goal to make wave power an economically-viable source of renewable energy continues to gain momentum,” added Mr Dunleavy.

The Company is seeking a customer for the commercial utilization of the buoy after the ocean trial phase is completed, including its possible deployment at various potential sites.