Wave power prototype sinks in the sea

Finavera's AquaBuoy prototype is asleep in the deep.

The company placed a 72-foot-long buoy in the waters off of Oregon in September as part of an ongoing effort to assess the commercial potential for wave power. The buoy, however, sunk in 115 feet of water on October 27, according to a report on RenewableEnergyAccess.com.

The AquaBuoy under construction

(Credit: Finavera Renewables)

"It seems to have something to do with the float section of the device," Myke Clark, a Finavera employee, told the Web site. After water started coming in, the bilge pump couldn't get rid of the water fast enough.

T'is true, mate. T'is true.

The company has planned later trials where buoys will be hooked up to the grid.

Finavera is one of several companies putting wave and tidal power prototypes in the sea around the world. One chief criticism has been that these devices can't hold up to the raging environment of the sea.

The company will now try to figure out how to get it out of the water, which may not take place until next year.