In an Australian-first, wave energy is supplying electricity to the national grid as a result of Australia’s investment in a broad range of renewable energy technologies.
Minister for Industry and Science Ian Macfarlane has officially switched on Carnegie’s Perth Wave Energy Project at Garden Island in Western Australia, which is supported by an investment of $13.1 million of Federal Government funding through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.
The federal government is investing a further $13 million in developing the next generation of Carnegie’s wave technology.
“This project will supply power to Australia’s largest naval base, HMAS Stirling, in a tremendous achievement for both Carnegie and wave energy in Australia,” Macfarlane said.
“It’s the first time in Australia’s history that a renewable wave power array has been connected to one of our major electricity grids.
“The project has the dual benefit of also including a desalination plant, which produces zero-emission fresh water from the waves."
CETO wave energy technology is a world-leading home grown product that has been developed over 10 years by Carnegie.
The submerged buoys operate under water, away from large storms and not visible from land, moving with the motion of the waves to drive offshore seabed pumps.
High pressure water from CETO 5 buoys drives onshore hydroelectric turbines with 720kW peak capacity and feeds a desalination plant, providing renewable energy and fresh water.
“Australia has great potential for further wave energy applications, with the resources on our south and south-west coast among the best in the world. It makes sense to tap into this renewable potential that will help diversify our energy mix,” Macfarlane said.
“The Carnegie project is great evidence of a commercial success in renewable energy. This type of practical application will guide future development of Australia’s renewable energy sector."
Further development has been made possible through a second tranche of funding of $13 million for Carnegie’s CETO 6 Project – which is in its preliminary design phase.
During the testing phase, the first 240kW peak capacity CETO 5 wave unit operated successfully for more than 2,000 hours. The larger units of CETO 6 is set to deliver around four times the capacity of CETO 5 units, improving efficiency and reducing energy generation costs.