Based in Oregon (USA), Columbia Power Technologies has been working with DNV GL to ensure that its StingRAY wave energy device accomplishes the first stage in the Prototype Certification process.
The StingRAY wave power system is intended to be deployed in water depths of over 60 metres and positioned in arrays formed of multiple devices. These arrays will be located up to 3 kilometres 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 have 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 them 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. The US DOE’s support being provided to Columbia Power Technologies is one of the ways that the US Government is demonstrating its commitment to developing and nurturing the wave energy industry.
Reenst Lesemann, Columbia Power Technologies CEO, said: "We are extremely pleased with the achievement of this important milestone. It points to both the experience and expertise of our Product Development & Delivery Team and to our technical leadership within the industry. Our team found the certification process rigorous, but extremely beneficial towards ensuring that we have a firm understanding of the risk management requirements and processes. We are also appreciative of the support from the US DOE and US Navy in reaching this advanced stage in our commercialisation plan.
Benson Waldron, Head of Section, Wave and Tidal Certification, DNV GL – Energy, commented: "We started working with Columbia Power Technologies in 2015 and significant progress has already been made. Issuing the DNV GL Statement of Feasibility is an important step toward demonstrating that Columbia Power Technologies is taking a robust and transparent approach to managing risk. We are pleased to be working with and supporting Columbia Power Technologies and look forward to continuing the journey to Prototype Certification, with a long term objective of full commercialisation."
DNV GL has been at the forefront of the risk based certification processes for the marine and other renewable energies for over 30 years. The organisation has been assessing new technologies and publishing standards and guidelines to ensure components, technologies and projects are reliable, safe and commercially profitable, with all risks mitigated. This risk-based focus is particularly valuable for offshore wind and wave & tidal projects, which are pushing the boundaries of technical and engineering knowledge and capabilities, as well as those that require reliable operation and effective risk management at all times.
