Ocean Power Technologies Inc. announced Aug. 21 it received a $500,000 contract to manufacture and install the first PowerBuoy wave energy system at the 50-MW Reedsport OPT Wave Park off the coast of Oregon.
PNGC Power, which is developing the project with OPT, will provide the funding to the company to fabricate, install, and deploy a 150-kW non-grid-connected PB150 PowerBuoy. Once deployed, system performance will be evaluated. (HNN 7/3/07)
The effort is the first phase of OPT’s project to install its PowerBuoy systems, which initially are expected to generate a total of 2 MW at a site 2.5 miles off the coast of Reedsport, Ore. Major components are to be manufactured in Oregon.
OPT holds a preliminary permit from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to study the feasibility of developing Reedsport OPT Wave Park (No. 12713). OPT plans to develop and operate the initial 2-MW grid-connected wave power park.
PNGC Power, an electric cooperative based in Portland, Ore., serves 15 distribution cooperatives with service territory in seven states. In addition to the agreement for the first PowerBuoy, PNGC Power plans to support OPT in the permitting process and with on-shore power transmission.
An agreement previously signed by OPT and PNGC provides a framework under which the two parties can work together for phased scale-up to a 50-MW wave power park. Specifically, PNGC Power will have the option to participate in ownership or power purchase in future commercial phases of Reedsport. PNGC Power said it also plans to work with other utilities to increase participation in the project.
