PB3 PowerBuoy® Achieves New Operational Milestone

Over One-and-a-Half Years of Continuous Unabated Autonomous Wave Energy Conversion

The PB3 PowerBuoy® operating in the Adriatic Sea has surpassed 600 days of continuous operation for Eni’s Phase 1 resident autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) project.

“The PB3 PowerBuoy® continues to validate its durability as a proven marine power asset,” said George H. Kirby, President and Chief Executive Officer of OPT. “The Adriatic Sea mission exemplifies the PB3’s capabilities in real-time and is an ongoing testament to OPT’s ability to deliver established technologies, constantly reinforcing our standing as a leader in offshore power solutions able to meet the unique needs of our customers. ”

Initially leased by Eni, one of the world’s largest energy companies, in 2018 for an 18-month mission to convert wave energy into electricity for powering underwater vehicles, the PB3 PowerBuoy® lease was extended in March 2020 for an additional 18 months.

To date, this PB3 PowerBuoy® has produced more than 2.7 MWh since it was deployed. The power takeoff (PTO) – OPT’s patented wave energy conversion system that converts ocean wave motion into rotary motion to drive a generator – has made more than 3.5 million cycles. Over the past four years, OPT has put several PTO systems through both ocean-based and factory accelerated life testing, accumulating more 40 million cycles among them.