Western Australia wave energy project on the brink of commercialisation

Australia could be set for a breakthrough in energy derived from waves, following the launch a major new project in Western Australia.

Carnegie Wave Energy unveiled three large buoys in Perth on Wednesday as part of a new $70 million technology which will feed energy into the Australian grid later this year.

The enormous buoys, called buoyant actuators, will be towed out into the ocean near Garden Island, off the coast of Perth.

The buoys will then be submerged and attached to underwater pumps. The movement of the ocean’s waves will cause the buoys to shoot high-pressure water through pipes which, in turn, will drive turbines and generators onshore, creating electricity.

The high-pressure water will also be fed into an onshore desalination plant, creating fresh water without the need for pumps.

Electricity and water provided by the project will be used by the department of defence for HMAS Stirling, Australia’s largest naval base, which is on Garden Island.

The government, which has provided $13.1 million in funding through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), said the project will be the first operating wave energy array scheme in the world.

Ian Macfarlane, the industry minister, said: “Australia is fortunate to have access to a diverse energy mix, including renewables.

“The project at Carnegie Wave Energy is a great example of Australian ingenuity. Carnegie has shown long-term commitment to the development of this technology.

“I’m delighted that they are now at the business end of the process. Once it’s developed on a larger scale, this type of alternative energy source will play a role in helping to lower carbon emissions, both in Australia and in other countries.”

Ivor Frischknecht, chief executive of ARENA, said Carnegie should be congratulated for helping push forward the viability of wave energy in Australia.

“Australia's wave energy resources along our south and south-west coasts are among the best in the world and, importantly, can be reliably predicted days ahead,” he said.

“There is great long-term potential for wave energy in Australia, with a range of competitive Australian technologies being developed towards commercialisation.”