Performance of OPT’s Commercial PB3 PowerBuoy™ During 2016 Ocean Deployment and Comparison to Projected Model Results

Abstract

This paper describes the validation process of a wave energy converter, the PB3, in support of achieving commercial ready status. The PB3 is a power and communication platform. It is a moored system which extracts useful electrical power from waves. The PB3 was developed for offshore remote autonomous applications such as the ones found in the oil and gas industry. Here, the results of full-scale ocean deployments of two PB3 PowerBuoys are reviewed in the context of final product performance validation, including power generation, and reliability. Furthermore, the Accelerated Life Testing of the PB3’s Power Takeoff (PTO) system is also discussed. A final Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is assessed based on API 17N TRL scale.