Independent energy expert and certification body DNV GL has awarded a Statement of Feasibility to Oregon, US-based Columbia Power Technologies for its StingRAY wave energy converter, the first step in the process that will lead to full prototype certification for the installed device.
The StingRAY wave power system is intended to be deployed in water depths of over 60m and positioned in arrays formed of multiple devices. These arrays will be located up to 3km from shore and the device will begin testing when it is deployed to the US Navy’s new wave energy test centre in Hawaii.
Columbia Power Technologies has been following the DNV GL certification process outlined in the industry recognised wave and tidal device certification specification ‘DNV-OSS-312’. Issuing a Statement of Feasibility to Columbia Power Technologies successfully completes the first stage of the process and DNV GL will now continue to support the company through the next stages towards Prototype Certification.
Achieving the Statement of Feasibility required Columbia Power Technologies and DNV GL to complete a full technology risk assessment and agree actions to mitigate potential risks. This ensured a fully transparent approach to risk, giving stakeholders, such as the US Navy, US DOE and potential customers a clear outlook of the devices’ progress.
DNV GL will continue to work with Columbia Power Technologies to review and approve design documents, before the device enters the fabrication stage. This includes manufacturing quality and equipment testing and surveillance of the installation and commissioning.
The final Prototype Certification of the StingRAY technology will follow the successful close out of the actions agreed during the Statement of Feasibility stage.
