Abstract
This document describes the results of a system level design, performance and cost study for both a feasibility demonstration pilot plant and a commercial size offshore wave power plant installed off the coast of Hawaii. For purposes of this point design study, the Hawaii stakeholders selected the Ocean Power Delivery (OPD) Pelamis wave energy conversion (WEC) device, Honolulu for assembly of the device, grid connection at the Waimanalo Beach substation and a deployment site of Makapuu Point approximately 2.5 km north of Makai Pier at a water depth of 50 meters on Oahu's southeast (windward) shore. The study was carried out using the methodology and standards established in the Design Methodology Report, the Power Production Performance Methodology Report, and the Cost Estimate and Economics Assessment Methodology Report.
There is a current offshore wave energy project in Hawaii. An Ocean Power Technoloiges, Inc. (OPT) 20 kW PowerBouy unit was installed in the summer of 2004 near Kaneohe Bay in the State of Hawaii. This deployment is part of the first phase of the OPT's contract from the US Navy, for potential installation of a 1 Megawatt wave power station off Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay on the island of Oahu. Construction of the PowerBuoy system was performed primarily by Hawaiian fabricators. The deploy was supported entirely by local diver and workboat subcontractors. This included tow-out of the PowerBuoy to the deployment site, and the connection of the system to the anchor located on the sea bottom. According to Don Rochon of the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, :OPT and the Navy have a shared commitment to this program for the operation of OPT's wave power systems in Hawaii." The PowerBuoy is located approximately one km off the coast, in 30 meters of water, and is initially rated for production of 50 kilowatts of electrical power. The buoy is less than 5 meters in diameter and 15 meters long.