Wave energy developers Ocean Power Technologies Inc has announced that they have deployed the third PowerBuoy wave generation units off Marine Corps Base near Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. The programme is a wave-energy technology trial that is being conducted with the US Navy.

The newly deployed PowerBuoy units are sitting in 100 feet of water around a mile off the coast of Oahu and the electricity generated from the trial is being fed into the Oahu power grid. The project is expected to produce up to 1MW of electricity and according to OPT the power produced is meeting predictions.

Previously, the OPT wave power project at Oahu underwent an extensive environmental assessment by an independent engineering company in accordance with the National Environment Policy Act (NEPA). This study featured evaluation of potential impacts on the seabed; fish, organisms and mammals; vegetation; and sea quality. The study concluded that the project would have no significant impact on the environment, which is the highest such rating.

Ina further boost for the project, the US Navy has recently added a further $300,000 in funding to the project to ensure the operation of the PowerBuoy system continues.