Ocean Power Technologies (OPT) and Stratum have signed a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) to evaluate the feasibility of operating offshore data centres powered entirely by renewable energy.
Under the proposed partnership, the two companies plan to test high-performance compute hardware housed on marine platforms, removing the need for power cables connected to the mainland.
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OPT said the trial will test whether onboard wave, wind, and solar systems can reliably support edge AI workloads.
While definitive agreements remain subject to negotiation, the proposed terms outline that Stratum will supply integration expertise and graphics processing units, including its latest generation Nvidia B300 hardware.
In return, OPT would provide existing prototype PowerBuoy units alongside a limited, non-exclusive patent licence covering the demonstration. Stratum would also pay OPT an agreed monthly retainer.
OPT noted that conventional data facilities consume substantial volumes of electricity for thermal management.
OPT acting president and CEO Tracy Pagliara said: “This proposed strategic collaboration aligns with OPT’s mission to deliver persistent renewable power and technology integration for critical offshore applications.
“By combining our patented PowerBuoy technology with Stratum’s graphics processing unit (GPU) assets, we aim to demonstrate a practical path toward self-powered edge AI infrastructure that operates independently of shore-based power.”
The participants intend to test whether deploying hardware in colder sea regions lowers these operational cooling loads, an outcome that has not yet been proven.
Stratum CEO Nicholas Adler said: “Stratum is focused on expanding high-performance compute capacity in new environments. Partnering with OPT allows us to explore the potential of renewable-powered offshore platforms combined with our GPU assets for edge AI inference, where local processing can reduce bandwidth requirements and leverage the natural cooling advantages of the marine environment.”
Initial testing will prioritise system assembly, operational monitoring, and data gathering from trial units.
If successful, findings could support remote edge-computing deployments across marine security, ocean research, and energy monitoring.
OPT holds over 60 international patents, including more than 15 in the US, covering PowerBuoy structural design, energy capture, power take-off, moorings, and communications.
Stratum is shifting operations away from legacy property assets toward AI compute infrastructure and processor leasing.
