OPT, NDBC team up for monitoring demo

Ocean Power Technologies (OPT) has partnered up with the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) to conduct ocean demonstrations of its SCOOP monitoring system integrated into OPT’s APB350 PowerBuoy.

An initial ocean demonstration will be conducted off New Jersey, with additional demonstrations to be conducted at an alternate site yet to be determined mutually by OPT and NDBC.

Site-specific measurements of meteorological and ocean conditions, as well as system performance and maintenance data collection, will be carried out, OPT informed.

NDBC developed Self-Contained Ocean Observing Payload (SCOOP) monitoring system to address the rising costs of ocean observations tools and techniques.

George Kirby, President and Chief Executive Officer of OPT, said: “NDBC operates a large network of buoys and stations which provide critical meteorological and oceanic observations that are utilized by government, industry, and academia throughout the world.

“We are excited to demonstrate the PowerBuoy’s ability to provide a power and communications platform for NDBC payloads in northern latitudes where persistent power, reliability and survivability tend to be problematic and are critical for successful operations.”

Ocean Power Technologies is a New Jersey-based wave energy developer that has designed their proprietary PowerBuoy technology based on a modular design.