A submersible, 26 metre high wave unit designed to extract energy from ocean waves and convert it into electricity has been deployed off the Port Fairy coast in a first for Victoria that is set to advance the renewable wave energy industry in Australia and beyond.
“Coming hot on the heels of the Prime Minister announcing the Australian Government’s $1.1 billion innovation package, this milestone is a very timely example of home-grown Aussie ingenuity,” Minister for the Environment Greg Hunt said.
“The wave unit uses patented bioWAVE technology which was developed here in Australia by BioPower Systems to tap the ocean’s potential to deliver for Australia’s future energy mix.
“To help it survive in the harsh marine environment, the unit is designed to sway back and forth mostly below the surface of the ocean, and can lie flat on the seabed out of harm’s way during extreme weather events.
“Although ocean energy technologies are still at an early stage of development, it is estimated that wave power could supply 10 per cent of Australia’s energy by 2050.
“The Government – through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) – is providing $11 million to BioPower to deliver this $21 million project and help move the innovative bioWAVE technology another step closer to commercialisation.”
Member for Wannon Dan Tehan said it made good sense to explore the energy potential of the oceans surrounding Australia.
“Australia has some of the best wave energy resources in the world and a reputation for having some of the most innovative minds – as this Victorian-based project demonstrates,” Mr Tehan said.
“The coast off Port Fairy here in Victoria is now the site of the most southern industrial-scale marine energy deployment in the world.
“This world-leading is a great example of what can be achieved when government and industry work together to bring innovative ideas to fruition.”