The first commercial Ocean Wave Energy Market Demonstration Site in the southern hemisphere is a step closer with the McGowan Government contributing $1.55 million towards a collaborative project to further develop renewable energy technologies in the Great Southern.
The proposal is a collaboration between The University of Western Australia's Wave Energy Research Centre and the Australian Government-funded Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre at a total project cost of $4.8 million, with additional $1 million of in-kind support from the Australian Ocean Energy Group.
The project aims to confirm the suitability of King George Sound as an Albany test site for wave energy devices by deploying a reduced scale wave attenuator nicknamed 'M4'.
It will test wave energy technology as a renewable energy source for local aquaculture and position Albany in the international 'blue economy' community, stimulating further research and industry investment and flow-on benefits to Great Southern businesses.
It builds on the Wave Energy Research Centre's international reputation for world-leading research and its strong regional community outreach, as well as Albany's excellent wave resource and potential to support the ocean energy industry.
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"This Albany Wave Energy Demonstration proposal reinforces Albany and Western Australia as a leading research hub and test location as this important technology continues to emerge.
"This proposal will drive investment in wave energy technology, which has great potential as an alternative renewable energy source - especially as electricity grids evolve towards integrated renewable energy systems and microgrids.
"The project will prove up the wave suitability of King George Sound for smaller, floating wave energy devices for use by local industry.
"Importantly, the project will support Great Southern businesses, with more than 80 per cent of the Government contribution to the project being reinvested locally."
