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Introduction to Engineering
Presentation
Ocean Power Technology
Ocean Power Technology
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Ocean Power Technology is a company founded by Dr. George W. Taylor and the late Dr. Joseph R. Burns.
Their vision was to one day harness the great power and infinite energy of the worlds oceans.
The company created “Power buoy” technology used to capture wave energy using buoys anchored to the sea bed and
converting that energy into electricity.
Power buoy
Put to the Test
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Starting in 1997 Ocean Power technology has been testing its power buoys off the coast of New Jersey. The company
started these trails in order to demonstrate their concept of using the wave energy and converting it into electricity.
The buoys did so good that they even withstood wind forces form hurricane Wilma. This technology is increasing
rapidly and may one day be a major source of electricity for our world. An example of Ocean power technologies
growth is the 40-kw power buoys installed off the coast of New Jersey and Hawaii.
Recent
Company Achievements
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2007
In April 2007, completed Initial Public Offering in the US and listing on Nasdaq, raising net proceeds of US$90.0
million.
Filed applications for permits from the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for two 100MW power generation
projects located at Coos Bay and Newport, Oregon.
Awarded world’s first wave power Operation and Maintenance contract for the first phase of the 1.39MW OPT wave
power station to be constructed off the north coast of Spain.
Awarded a grant of $1.2 million through the Scottish Minister’s Wave and Tidal Energy Support Scheme managed by
the Scottish Executive. The grant is for the construction, installation and in-ocean demonstration of OPT’s latest 150
kW Power Buoy design, the PB150.
Signed agreement with Pacific Northwest Generating Cooperative to work cooperatively on OPT’s development of the
Reedsport, Oregon wave power station.
Awarded $1.7 million contract from US Navy to provide Power Buoy technology to a unique Navy program for ocean
data gathering, the Deep Water Acoustic Detection System.
Technology
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The power buoy’s are able to capture and convert wave energy into low-cost clean electricity.
The rising and falling of the waves off shore causes the buoy to move freely up and down. The up and down stroking is
converted by a sophisticated power take-off to drive an electrical generator. The generated power is transmitted ashore
via an underwater power cable.
A 10-Megawatt OPT power station would occupy only approximately 30 acres of ocean space.
Sensors on the Power Buoy continuously monitor the performance of the various subsystems and surrounding ocean
environment. Data is transmitted to shore in real time. In the event of very large oncoming waves, the system
automatically locks-up and ceases power production. When the wave heights return to normal, the system unlocks and
recommences energy conversion and transmission of the electrical power ashore.
Buoys are spaced to maximize energy capture.
Rugged, simple steel construction.
Utilizes conventional mooring systems.
Simple installation using existing marine vessels and infrastructure.
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Scalable to large power stations (100+ MW)
http://www.oceanpowertechnologies.com/tech.htm
What can this technology be used
for?
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OPT can be used for utility scale power plants with capacities of hundreds of megawatts.
It may also be used in Desalination plants that are used to convert seawater into fresh drinkable water.
 Natural resource processing
 Hydrogen processing
 Fish farming
 Tsunami Monitoring
 Oceanographic monitoring
Environmentally friendly
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Totally clean and pollution free
No particulate or gaseous emissions.
Does not generate solid waste or wastewater.
No noise pollution.
Minimal impact on seabed.
Benefits of harnessing wave power
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• Wave energy is the most concentrated form of renewable energy.
• There are many ideal locations in Europe, North and South America, Africa, South Pacific Ocean and Asia where high
power densities exist close to highly populated areas.
• Wave power is predictable and dependable, with the ability to accurately forecast the wave power spectrum days in
advance.
• OPT’s Power Buoy offers high load factors and availability.
• Environmentally friendly: no fuel, no exhaust gases, no noise.
Minimal visual impact.
• Scalable up to large power stations.
Visual Impact on the ocean
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Visual impact is often cited as one of the reasons that many communities have opposed plans to develop power
projects. OPT’s Power Buoy has the distinct advantage of only a minimal visual profile. Only a small portion of the
buoy is visible at close range, with the bulk of the buoy hidden below the water. Since an OPT wave power station is
typically located 1-3 miles offshore, the Power Buoys are usually not visible from the shore.
Technology Comparison
Technology involved in OPT
 • System Design
• Control Systems
• Power Conversion
• Anchoring and Mooring
• Wave Farm Architecture
Conclusion
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Ocean Power Technologies is a relatively new company. This company is doing many great things in the field of finding
new ways to create energy using natural resources. Hopefully one day we will be able to break our addiction to foreign
oil and be able to produce clean, non polluting energy.