The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced $4 million in funding to install a pilot-scale wave energy converter off the coast of King Island, Tasmania.
The $12.3 million project by Wave Swell Energy will involve the design, construction, installation and operation of the UniWave 200, a 200 kW wave energy device off the coast of King Island.
The project will also be integrated with the King Island microgrid operated by Hydro Tasmania, which received $6 million in ARENA funding in 2011 to demonstrate the integration of several renewable resources and energy management technologies.
The device will be partially submerged as it sits on the seabed and has an opening on one side to allow the movement of the waves in and out of the chamber.
Water rises and falls inside the chamber, causing the pressure of the air trapped above to change between negative and positive pressure. The pressure fluctuations force the air to pass through the turbine at the top of the chamber, generating electricity.
ARENA CEO, Darren Miller, said the project will offer additional insights into combining wind, solar and wave energy.
“Wave energy has the potential to be integrated into microgrids, particularly on island locations with limited space, to reduce the need for significant battery storage due to the relative predictability and consistency of wave energy,” Mr Miller said.
“The tidal and wave sector in Australia is still in the early demonstration phase. Wave Swell’s unique approach to wave energy will gain valuable knowledge and help to see whether this is a viable option for generating renewable energy.”
Wave Swell Energy CEO, Dr Tom Denniss, said Wave Swell Energy is extremely pleased to have such a substantial component of the UniWave 200 King Island Project funded by ARENA.
“The project, aimed at demonstrating the commercial viability of the technology, is expected to be the first of many wave energy projects utilising this unique world-leading intellectual property. ARENA’s role in the King Island project represents a vital component of the ultimate commercialisation of the technology,” Dr Denniss said.
Find Related Companies In The Pump Industry Capability Guide
-
QME 2020 cancelled
Queensland Mining and Engineering Expo (QME) 2020, expected to take place 22-24 September at the Mackay Showground, has been...
-
NT, CSIRO and industry partner on carbon capture hub
The Northern Territory Government has announced a partnership with the CSIRO, industry and engineering companies to develop the blueprint...
-
Waterwise developments in Western Australia
Port Coogee (WA), developed by Australand, has been labelled as the 13th Waterwise Development within the state. The WA...
-
Tender: supply of pressure sewer systems
Public Works Advisory (NSW) is seeking tenders for the supply of pressure sewer systems and associated services. Submissions to...
-
Qld budgets for pump stations
The Queensland state budget, released in June, 2013 includes provision for a number of local council pump infrastructure projects....
-
Construction begins on WA’s first pumped-hydro microgrid
Construction of Western Australia’s first pumped-hydro microgrid will soon begin in Walpole to improve power reliability for homes and...
-
Pump wipeouts continue
South East Water, City West Water and Yarra Valley Water have joined forces in an effort to inform the...
-
QLD council receives excellence award for reservoir project
The Fraser Coast Regional Council has received the Innovation and Sustainability in Water award from the Institute of Public...
