Ocean Power Technologies Inc (NYSE-A:OPTT) (OPT) announced that it has received funding from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, for the year-long deployment of a PowerBuoy in Monterey Bay.
The company said its PowerBuoy, which will integrate OPT’s Maritime Domain Awareness System with satellite communication and AT&T 5G technology, will demonstrate its persistent surveillance and communication capabilities in a maritime environment.
The project is part of a series of Naval Postgraduate School Field Experimentation exercises which aim to explore the value of autonomous at-sea infrastructure, such as by enhancing situational awareness and communication capabilities for maritime operations.
OPT said this deployment is a significant milestone in maritime technology as it will showcase the potential of standalone at-sea infrastructure nodes in support of the Joint Force’s diverse operational needs.
It also marks the first installation of AT&T’s cellular technology on OPT’s PowerBuoy, the company highlighted.
"We are excited to see our PowerBuoy technology being used in such a groundbreaking way. This deployment not only demonstrates the versatility and reliability of our systems in challenging marine environments but also marks a significant step in our collaboration with AT&T,” OPT CEO Philipp Stratmann said in a statement.
“It's a testament to our commitment to innovation and our ability to adapt to the evolving needs of maritime surveillance and communication."
OPT provides intelligent maritime solutions and services that enable safer, cleaner, and more productive ocean operations for the defense and security, oil and gas, science and research, and offshore wind markets.