OPT: Ocen Power Technologies

Next the OPT Power Buoy concept.

Technology:

• Point Absorber
• The rising and falling of the waves off shore causes the buoy to move freely up and down.
• The resultant mechanical stroking is converted via a sophisticated power take-off to drive an electrical generator. Oil compression moving an hydraulic generator?
• The generated power is transmitted ashore via an underwater power cable.
• Rugged, simple steel construction.
• Utilizes conventional mooring systems.
• Simple installation using existing marine vessels and infrastructure.

Advantages:

• Floating device: easy to install, transport, maintain etc
• 
  

Disadvantages:

• Joints in contact with sea water
• Many moving parts
• Oil inside, not so environmentally friendly
• As a Point absorber it absorbs the energy of a reduced space, a small section of the wave. How much of the available energy is it able to capture?

Cost:

• Unknown

Other info:

• Expertimental plant at Santoña, Spain for Iberdrola

	OPT PowerBuoy®	Solar	Wind	Biomass	Natural Gas and Coal
Energy Density	High. Approx. 1000 x denser than wind	Low – Moderate	Low	Moderate	Very High
Predictability	High. Accurate forecasts days in advance	Moderate	Low except in some sites	Dispatchable, subject to fuel supply	Dispatchable
Load Factor	30% - 45%	10% - 20%	25% - 35%	50% - 90%	50% - 90%
Visual Impact	Minimal. PowerBuoys, in general, not visible from shore	Unobtrusive	Moderate	High	Very High
Potential Sites	Extensive	Limited for large capacity sites	Moderate	Extensive but permitting process can be lengthy	Extensive but permitting process can be lengthy
Cost Per Kilowatt Hour – Utility Power	15¢*	24 - 34¢	8 -16¢	14 - 20¢	4 - 7¢

Links:

Official Website:

http://www.oceanpowertechnologies.com/

Video:

http://www.oceanpowertechnologies.com/tech.htm