Wave power prototype with Oz connection set for testing in Europe

A collaborative wave energy project to develop a standardised, self-contained offshore electricity generator moved a step closer last week, when a tenth-scale WavePOD prototype moved to the world-leading Institute for Fluid Power Drives and Controls (IFAS) at Aachen University, Germany.

The project – a collaboration that has seen ASX-listed, Western Australia-based company Carnegie Wave Energy work alongside some of Europe’s leading wave energy developers, utilities and academic institutions including Carnegie’s 100 per cent UK subsidiary, CETO Wave Energy UK – is being developed by global drive and control manufacturer Bosch Rexroth.

Its goal is to develop an industry-wide power take off that will generate electricity reliably and cost effectively at sea.

The laboratory testing at Aachen University’s world class facility is expected to provide performance data on the WavePOD unit to allow Bosch Rexroth to develop and refine the prototype prior to in-ocean testing.

In-ocean testing is initially planned for fellow wave developer, Aquamarine Power’s Oyster 800 device in Scotland and subsequently targeted for
Carnegie Wave Power’s own CETO technology at WaveHub in Cornwall.

At 1MW, the CETO 6 array will have a power capacity some four times that of the current CETO 5 generation being deployed in a world first 3 unit array in Carnegie’s Perth Project in Western Australia.

Electricity generated from the project will be sold under Wave Hub’s power purchase agreement that includes the ability to claim 5 Renewable Obligation Certificates (approximately 50c/kWh or $500/MWh ).

The berth was awarded to Carnegie by the Wave Hub board after the successful completion of due diligence on the company and its technology, which has gone from concept to pre-commercial array in just 10 years – a track record described as “impressive” by Wave Hub managing director Claire Gibson.