Deep ocean wave energy hopeful inches closer to trials in WA waters

Perth-based wave energy hopeful, Wavex, says it is a step closer to showcasing its ocean power generation technology in Western Australia waters after signing deals to test out new electrical and mooring system designs.

Wavex’s D-Spar technology, led by The University of Western Australia, is described as a “self-reacting wave energy conversion system” that is designed to harness the vertical motion of the ocean into electricity at an industrial scale.

According to the company website, Wavex was started “by a bunch of offshore engineers, who wanted to make a difference and transfer their existing skills into the emerging green economy.”

Unlike some other quite complex wave energy systems, the Wavex generator has no underwater moving parts, reducing the risk of damage or failure, and uses moorings and power cables already developed by the oil and gas industry.

So far, the company has completed a number of scale model tests to verify the performance of its floating structure. The next step, as the website puts it, is to move out of the tank and to a large scale prototype and pre-commercialisation.

In two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) announced on Tuesday, Wavex has agreed to work with global engineering outfit Arup, first in collaboration with Trident Energy on D-Spar’s electrical design and power transfer unit integration, and second on the potential incorporation of Arup’s proprietary shared mooring system design.  

Wavex says the “pooled expertise” across the project aims to finalise the viability of the D-Spar system, which it plans to deploy in WA later this year.

“This collaboration with Arup enables us to enhance our D-Spar system with Arup’s best-in-class electrical design and potential game changing shared mooring design,” Wavex CEO Simon Renwick said on Tuesday.

“We are excited to work with Arup as we push the boundaries of wave energy innovation with our revolutionary method of harnessing the power in the ocean’s waves.”

Damon Sunderland, Arup’s Australasia offshore wind lead says the collaboration provides an opportunity to demonstrate the company’s novel approach to shared mooring design, which provides performance advantages in shallow to very deep waters and is readily scalable to large arrays of floating energy devices.

“We think it offers a path to increase profitability for commercial-scale arrays by maximizing energy production density, reducing cost of components, and increasing survivability. We see great potential combined with the D-Spar and are excited to carry out this work with Wavex,” Sunderland says.

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