Abstract
The paper presents elements of the design, manufacturing and deployment of a wave energy converter demonstrator in Albany, on the south coast of Western Australia (WA). The project, funded by WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, the Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre and The University of Western Australia (UWA) aims at advancing the development of the technology and at testing and validating the infrastructure and supply chain necessary for emerging ocean energy markets, including the aquaculture industry in the region.
The demonstrator is a wave attenuator called M4 for ‘Moored MultiMode Multibody’, developed by M4 Wave Power Ltd at the University of Manchester, UK. It has undergone extensive optimisation, with published results demonstrating high energy capture and excellent survivability. Design was undertaken by BE-CRC partners at BMT in collaboration with UWA. Upon operation, data associated with mooring line loads, hydrodynamic response and power generation will be made available live on a dedicated website for the benefit of the whole community.