Wave power a step closer in Albany
Production of zero-emission power and water from the ocean's waves in Albany moved a step closer today.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan today announced that
Perth-based Carnegie Corporation had been issued a five-year exclusive licence to identify suitable areas for a wave energy facility off Albany's coastline.
The off-shore licence takes in more than 30,000ha of coast from the Albany Wind farm around to West Cape Howe.
Ms MacTiernan said the State Government was keen to see the project progress.
"Wave energy will play an important role in the mix of renewable energy sources in the Great Southern and South-West, where there's a reliable, consistent swell," she said.
Alongside the existing wind farm and with the potential for a carbon-neutral power biomass power station, Albany may well be on the doorstep of becoming the first city in Australia, if not the world, to be more than 100 per cent self-sufficient in green energy."
Carnegie Corporation, the company behind CETO wave energy, has developed a fully submerged unit that produces high pressure seawater from the movement and power of the waves above.
The high pressure seawater, once ashore, is used to drive a turbine generator to produce electricity.
A wave farm of 125 CETO units would be able to produce 20MW of electricity with no greenhouse gas emissions, enough for 15,000 households.
Minister's office - 9213 6400