U.S. Wave Energy Gets 1st Grid Hook Up

by

Ocean Power Technologies, a wave energy start up experimenting with technology that can harnesses ocean wave resources to generate reliable and clean and environmentally-beneficial electricity, announced recently the first ever grid connection of a wave energy device in the United States. This occurred at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH), in conjunction with the US Navy.

The MCBH project, according to Ocean Power, made use of one of the company’s PowerBuoy systems to produce what it says is utility-grade, renewable energy that can be transmitted to the grid in a manner fully compliant with national and international standards. This PowerBuoy was first deployed in December, 2009 three-quarters of a mile off the coast of Oahu in water depth of 100 feet. It has, to date, produced power from over 3 million power take-off cycles and 4,400 hours of operation.

OPT Hawaii

image via Ocean Power Technologies

“OPT has been ocean-testing its technology in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans for several years,” said Charles F. Dunleavy, Chief Executive Officer of OPT, in a statement. “Grid connection is another significant milestone in demonstrating the potential for commercial status of our PowerBuoy technology. We thank the Navy and the Naval Facilities group for supporting this project as we move nearer to achieving their goals for the program. We are pleased to be a part of the renewable energy initiatives undertaken by the commander of Marine Corps Base Hawaii.”

Like what you are reading? Follow us on RSS, Twitter and Facebook to get green technology news updates throughout the day and chat with other green tech lovers.

Posted on October 3rd, 2010 · Comment ↓

Tags ,

Posted in Renewable Energy

  • Joe Sosville

    I think this is a great idea .. Electric Utilities vs, The Fishing Industry .. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Buoy farms will grow and you’ll see them populated with 100’s if not 1000’s of Buoy’s
    generating electricity. Commercial shipping “of any kind” will be banned from these areas.
    Conceivably .. 40 to 100 by 40 to 100 miles square [a needle in the hay stack in terms of ocean area].

    Now then .. fish are stupid .. they bite onto baited hooks and swim into huge phucking nets.
    But then again .. fish are not ignorant .. they tend to gather in great numbers where artificial
    water borne objects create reef conditions, such as mega-ton concrete anchors to hang onto
    to buoys.

    Guess where all the depleted fish species will adapt to and eventually be found in great
    numbers and there aren’t any baited hooks or giant nets for them to stupidly run into .. ?!?!