Freo wave energy prototype in operation

Clean technology developer Carnegie Corporation Ltd has successfully deployed and begun initial operation of the first CETO Wave Energy prototype off a test site at Fremantle.

The complete CETO 2 prototype unit was deployed in January and has performed as expected in the wave regime present since then. The deployment of the first complete CETO 2 prototype follows on from the previously announced successful onshore testing period during December and from in-sea design validation trials.

Carnegie managing director Dr Michael Ottaviano said it was pleased to have achieved the major milestone on schedule and have the first CETO 2 unit in the ocean and performing as expected.

"This is another successful step achieved by the development team and takes us closer towards our goal of having CETO commercial-ready in 2009".

"This significant technical milestone proves the CETO 2 design in real ocean conditions and clears the way for further deployment of units off Fremantle for performance monitoring and design development in varying sea states."

The manufacture and pre-deployment testing of the first CETO 2 unit took place in Perth over the last months of 2007. Deployment was carried out over several hours one day in January onto pre-deployed moorings. High pressure piping was connected as part of the process and water is now being delivered back to the onshore Fremantle facility.

Subsequent CETO 2 units will be deployed over the coming months in the ocean off the Fremantle test site ahead of full-scale CETO 3 unit testing which will complete the CETO development program in 2009.

The CETO technology distinguishes itself from other wave energy devices by resting out of sight on the ocean floor. An array of submerged buoys is tethered to seabed pump units.

The buoys move in harmony with the motion of the passing waves, driving the pumps which in turn pressurises seawater and delivers it ashore via a pipeline.

The high-pressure seawater can be used to supply a reverse osmosis desalination plant, replacing greenhouse gas emitting pumps usually required for such plants.

The high pressure seawater can also be used to drive hydro turbines, generating zero-emission electricity.