Ocean Power Technologies finishes testing of next-gen buoy, prepares for deployment

U.S.-based marine energy firm Ocean Power Technologies (OPT) has completed more than four months of offshore testing of its next-generation PowerBuoy (PB) in the Atlantic Ocean, offshore New Jersey, and is preparing the system for deployment at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey to enhance maritime domain awareness and connectivity. 

According to OPT, the next-generation PB, equipped with solar and wind power along with OPT’s artificial intelligence (AI) capable domain awareness solution, Merrows, maintained 100% data uptime and kept battery charge above 90% throughout the deployment. The system completed multiple intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance demonstrations for potential customers.

After operating offshore during Hurricane Ernesto and tropical storm Debby, the system has returned to the OPT facility for integration of subsea connectors and AT&T’s 5G system. 

“We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of offshore testing for our solar and wind power capable Next Generation PowerBuoy, which forms the backbone of our AI-capable Merrows ocean intelligence platform,” said Philipp Stratmann, CEO and President of OPT.

“Achieving 100% data uptime during testing is a testament to the robustness and reliability of our technology, designed to operate in the most challenging marine environments. We are excited to take the next step and deliver this groundbreaking system to NPS , marking a significant milestone in advancing sustainable ocean monitoring solutions.”

These upgrades are part of the planned deployment for the NPS in Monterrey. OPT received a further contract from the NPS, which supports near-term revenue and adds to the deployment of OPT’s PB in Monterey Bay to enhance maritime domain awareness and connectivity. The contract also includes the integration of multi-domain drones and communication systems, said OPT.

Building on the success of the previous NPS contract, this new order will integrate advanced subsea sensors into a PowerBuoy equipped with OPT’s Merrows suite, enabling AI-driven maritime domain awareness and utilizing AT&T communication technologies. According to OPT, the PB will provide continuous autonomous monitoring and data collection in a strategically important maritime environment. 

This deployment will also contribute to NPS’s field experimentation exercises, designed to test and improve technologies for situational awareness and operational efficiency in naval operations. After permits are approved and factory acceptance testing is completed, the system will be moved to California for installation, expected in late fall.

“Receiving this contract from NPS underscores the growing recognition of our PowerBuoy technology as a vital tool for enhancing maritime security and operational capability above and below the surface,” added Stratmann. 

“This collaboration with NPS not only builds on our previous successes but also pushes the boundaries of what autonomous maritime technology can achieve. We are proud to continue supporting the Joint Force’s efforts to advance MDA and secure communication networks. The results from this deployment will also further demonstrate the ability to deploy PowerBuoy’s as 5G communication nodes across the coastline of the United States.”

OPT’s PBs are wave-powered energy devices that can act as uninterruptable power supply (UPS) devices that recharge themselves by harvesting energy from waves. PBs are ocean-deployed, moored, and floating over the point of use. 

In June, the Merrow-equipped PB was selected as a preferred supplier of the wave-powered buoy for delivery in the Middle East. 

OPT hit nearly 15 MWh of renewable energy production this May from its family of PBs globally. Energy generation numbers are drawn from deployments in the Atlantic, Pacific, Mediterranean, and North Sea.