Albany takes lead in renewable innovation with wave energy converter launch

The University of Western Australia’s Marine Energy Research Australia will today unveil a world-first initiative to showcase Albany’s wave energy resources and research expertise, positioning the Great Southern region as a leader in renewable energy innovation.

WA Science Minister Stephen Dawson will launch the ‘Moored MultiMode Multibody’ (M4) Wave Energy Demonstration Project in Albany today. The M4 device is an innovative surface-riding wave energy converter featuring a unique 1-2-1 float array, which generates electricity through the flexing motion of its hinge. 

Image: Professor Christophe Gaudin, Director of the UWA Oceans Institute and Marine Energy Research Australia, with WA Science Minister Stephen Dawson, Member for Albany Rebecca Stephens MLA, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) at UWA, Professor Anna Nowak, and John Whittington, CEO of the Blue Economy CRC, at the official launch.

By harnessing the consistent and powerful wave resources along the Great Southern coast, the project aims to explore the potential to diversify the local economy and develop a future zero emission industry.

First funded in August 2021 by the Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre, the WA Government, and UWA, it is a world-first, fully open-source project that shares with scientists, developers and the community the performance data measured during deployment. 

The M4 project also highlights the capabilities of the local supply chain, engaging six local contractors and manufacturers in building, assembling, deploying and decommissioning the device, as well as demonstrating the potential for wave energy technology to contribute to local decarbonisation. 

The project serves as a critical testbed for wave energy technology, with plans to build on its success with two future additional prototype deployments in Albany.

Image: The innovative M4 device, designed to harness the power of the waves.

Professor Christophe Gaudin, Director of the UWA Oceans Institute and Marine Energy Research Australia said the project was a testament to Albany’s potential as a global leader in clean ocean energy.

“The M4 device is designed to harness the power of waves, and by making our data publicly accessible, we aim to drive forward innovation in renewable energy both locally and globally,” Professor Gaudin said.

Centre manager Dr Wiebke Ebeling said the M4 Wave Energy Project would validate advanced modelling predictions and demonstrate the feasibility of wave energy as a stable, renewable baseload power source. 

“It’s an exciting step forward in our journey to establish Albany as a hub for renewable energy innovation and economic growth,” Dr Ebeling said.

Image: Professor Christophe Gaudin welcomes the crowd at the opening on Tuesday.

The device will be deployed in Albany’s outer harbour, King George Sound, in mid-September 2024 for a period of six months, showcasing the area’s exceptional wave energy potential.

Find out more about wave energy research at UWA Albany’s Open Day this Sunday 8 September.