By Renewable Energy Focus staff

The PB150 has a rated power output of 150 kW and is designed for grid-connected wave power projects.

The PowerBuoy was built and assembled at Invergordon, Scotland, and is currently being prepared for ocean trials at a site approximately 33 nautical miles from Invergordon.

OPT says sea trials with the wave power device are expected to commence as soon as weather conditions permit.

The company is seeking additional financing for commercialisation of its wave power buoy after the trial phase is completed.

A second PB150 is already under construction in the US for a proposed utility-scale project in Oregon, and OPT is involved in other planned wave power projects in Australia, Japan and Europe that may utilise the PB150.

Charles F. Dunleavy, CEO of OPT, says: "The completion of the first PB150 in the UK is a major engineering achievement for OPT and also begins an important new chapter in the company's commercialisation strategy. The PB150 structure and mooring system has already received independent certification from Lloyd's Register, as announced last month.

“The new device is intended to become OPT's first ‘workhorse’ for utility-scale projects, and embodies the company's strong track record in innovation and in-ocean development of wave power systems as a source of clean, renewable energy. With construction of the second PB150 well underway in Oregon, USA, we are very proud of reaching this milestone and look to the future of utility-scale wave energy with increasing confidence."