Off the shores of Puget Sound, a strange object floated in the waves, stirring up talk of UFOs or maybe even USOs among curious onlookers. But it’s neither—just Panthalassa’s Ocean-2, an odd-looking prototype from a Portland startup that’s out to tap the ocean’s endless energy.
Panthalassa, a company all about pulling clean power from the sea, rolled out Ocean-2 as a floating rig built to turn wave motion into electricity. Unlike old-school wave energy systems with clunky mechanical parts, Ocean-2 rocks a modular, flexible setup that rolls with the ocean’s flow. At about 10 meters wide, this futuristic buoy blends into the waves, made from tough composites and rust-proof alloys that help it handle the sea’s relentless pounding. “Ocean-2 works with the ocean, not against it, so we can generate power without messing up marine life,” said Panthalassa’s CEO, Dr. Elena Martinez.
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The platform uses a network of connected modules that bend and sway with the waves, turning that motion into power through piezoelectric materials and hydraulic systems.Tests in Puget Sound, done with Everett Ship Repair, showed it pumping out up to 50 kilowatts in decent conditions—enough juice for a small coastal town. “We’re thinking big,” Martinez said in a press release. “Ocean-2 is just the start, but we’re already planning bigger arrays that could crank out gigawatts.”
Ocean-2’s smooth, low-impact design and quiet operation keep marine life happy, with the team working alongside marine biologists to make sure it’s safe for local critters. “Sustainability means living in harmony with the ocean,” said Dr. Liam Chen, Panthalassa’s environmental lead. Data from the Puget Sound tests, tracked via satellite, showed no real harm to sea life—a great sign for what’s next.
Getting Ocean-2 to this point wasn’t a walk on the beach. Building something that could survive the ocean’s wrath while staying affordable took years of tests. Panthalassa’s team went through countless designs to nail the balance of toughness and efficiency. A KOMO News YouTube video captured the prototype holding strong against Puget Sound’s tricky currents. Scaling up is the next big challenge, though. Martinez admitted, “The ocean doesn’t mess around. Every part has to be spot-on, or it’s toast. We’re learning with every wave.”
Looking forward, Panthalassa sees Ocean-2 as part of a massive wave energy network. By 2030, they’re aiming to roll out arrays that could power whole coastal cities, cutting down on fossil fuel use. The Puget Sound tests are just the first step, with more trials planned for the Pacific Northwest and beyond. If it pans out, Ocean-2 could change how we see the ocean. Martinez summed it up: “The ocean’s been sustaining us forever. Now it’s time to let it light up our world.”
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