Jan 24 2011
Ocean Power Technologies (OPT) has announced that it has achieved the world’s first- ever internationally respected Lloyd’s Register Certification for its PB150 PowerBuoy, a utility scale wave power device.
The certificate validates that the PB150 fulfills the requirements of Lloyd’s 1999 Rules and Regulations, which are set up for classifying Floating Offshore Installations at a fixed location. It would provide a third party and independent assurance on the design of the PB150 based on international standards.
According to Ross Wigg, Lloyd’s Register, OPT was the first wave energy device developer to approach Lloyds Register for assurance. The company’s widespread experience in the offshore energy segment was very significant to the rapidly developing offshore renewable energy program. The assurance services included detailed appraisals and design analysis of the anchoring, mooring, hydrodynamics and structure of the PB150 PowerBuoy. OPT’s CEO, Charles F. Dunleavy, remarked that their company’s 16 year experience in wave energy systems, quality delivery processes and superb engineering personnel was the reason why the PB150 was able to meet the stringent requirements posed by the Lloyds Register for certification. He also mentioned that this certification was a major milestone for PowerBuoy Technology and would give their project partners, investors and customers immense confidence in the company’s product.
The certification was achieved after the successful installation of the PB150 in Oahu, Hawaii in December 2009. It is now being readied for transit, to be taken for ocean testing in the coast of Inverness in Scotland.
Intertek Services an independent Laboratory had also certified that OPT complies with both national and international standards such as UL1741 and IEEE1547 in July 2007.