Renewable

December 6 (Renewables Now) - New Jersey-based ocean energy devices developer Ocean Power Technologies (NASDAQ:OPTT), or OPT, plans to source lithium ion batteries from NEC Energy Solutions for subsea projects.

The two companies have entered into a letter of intent (LoI) to eventually ink a long-term battery supply agreement. OPT said it will use NEC’s products for its subsea battery solutions, which were added to its product line last month. The idea is to provide the first ever persistent electric power recharge of subsea battery systems with OPT’s PowerBuoy device.

“As we actively market our battery solutions with recharge capabilities from our PowerBuoy products, NEC ES provides us the confidence in offering what we believe will be a very high quality and desirable subsea battery technology,” stated George Kirby, president and CEO of OPT.

The solutions offered by the ocean energy specialist will enable powering subsea equipment, sensors and communications, as well as recharging autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) and electric remotely operated vehicles (eROV).