Carnegie trials ocean energy technology in offshore setting

Carnegie Clean Energy said its MoorPower module, which utilises wave energy to deliver onboard electricity generation, has been successfully deployed and is now operating at a test site in the waters off North Fremantle in Western Australia.

The MoorPower project works on the same principle as Carnegie’s ‘CETO’ technology which features submerged, buoy-like devices that rely on the movement of the waves to produce oscillating motion that is converted into grid-ready electricity.

The company said the MoorPower module leverages the core principles of this technology but works on the surface and at a smaller scale.

Carnegie Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Fievez said the deployment of the module is a significant milestone in the challenge of decarbonising offshore operations and reducing the reliance on diesel generators.

“It is an important step in bringing our technology to the world,” he said. “We have listened to the needs of industry operating in isolated offshore environments and adapted our unique CETO technology to their requirements.”

The deployment follows onshore testing and commissioning completed at Carnegie’s Fremantle base. That testing focused on reliability and allowed the project team to refine communications and control strategies.

Carnegie said the offshore trial will yield vital insights into the behaviour of the MoorPower system across various sea conditions with the results to play a crucial role in validating the modelling of the technology and performance simulations for future commercial projects.

The company also expects the learnings will be transferable to its existing projects in Europe.

“MoorPower is set to transform the way energy is harnessed offshore, with its initial target market being aquaculture barges and vessels that require electrical power while operating on offshore locations,” the company said.