HTS for PowerBuoy

Ocean Power Technologies (OPT) and Converteam have signed an agreement to develop high temperature superconductor (HTS) linear generators for use in OPT's PowerBuoy wave energy converters.

Under the agreement OPT and Converteam will jointly develop the technology on an exclusive basis for at least five years. During this time the companies will explore commercial opportunities and potential customers for the HTS linear generator PowerBuoys.

OPT is a wave energy technology developer with PowerBuoy projects in Spain, the UK and the US. Customers and partners include Iberdrola, TOTAL and the US Navy.

Converteam is also a supplier to the US Navy, renewables, marine and industrial markets, specialising in the development, design and supply of electrical motors and generators, power converters and cryogenic systems.

The proposed power take-off for the OPT PowerBuoy will employ Converteam's proprietary linear generator system with high temperature superconductors to provide the magnetic field.