Bombora Wave Power, a Perth-based wave energy developer, has deployed a scaled prototype of their wave energy device off Melville, Australia.
The device has been deployed at Swan River, alongside Como Jetty, Western Australia.
The mid-scale field trial presents a step forward from the laboratory testing to proving the function of the system in real world setting.
During the trial Bombora will test a number of system configurations to optimise the key design and control system features before launching into full-scale commercial scale trials, Bombora’s press release reads.
Sam Leighton , Bombora CEO, said: “Bombora has previously completed small scale trials in a collaborative effort with the Australian Maritime College, four West Australian Universities and the Pawsey Supercomputing Centre. We are now in the advanced planning stage for a full-scale commercial scale trial at one of a number of prospective testing sites.”
WA Energy Minister Mike Nahan, together with WA’s chief scientist Peter Klinken, attended the launching operation.
Peter Klinken said: “It’s fantastic to see local innovative companies, academics and research facilities collaborating, enabling them to play effectively on the world’s stage.”
Bombora’s wave energy system utilises a large membrane energy harvester to collect, concentrate and modulate the wave energy through the use of an air circuit.
The system has an onboard 1.5 MW air turbine that spins as wave passes over the system moving the air around the circuit and driving it through the turbine, which results in the generation of electricity.
Image: Bombora Wave Power