BPS bioWAVE Ocean Pilot at Port Fairy

Summary

Need

Ocean waves are an abundant and consistent source of renewable energy. Development of Australian technologies that effectively harvest this energy could lead to employment and manufacturing opportunities in the renewable energy sector as well as increased use of wave energy as a renewable source of electricity.

Project innovation

The patented bioWAVE technology was developed in Australia to extract energy from ocean waves and convert it into electricity. The bioWAVE was designed to convert wave energy to mechanical energy and then use a unique mechanical-to-electrical energy converter.

Both the gentle swaying motion of the bioWAVE, which intended to move with the forces of the ocean rather than brace against them, and the ability for the unit to lie flat are features inspired by nature. The result is a unique technology that has specific performance, cost and environmental benefits.

Benefit

Beyond the potential direct benefit of offsetting carbon emissions, the project provided employment opportunities, local economic activity and skills development.

Lessons learnt from the Project will be shared with the Australian ocean renewable energy sector.

Decommissioning

The bioWAVE unit is being dismantled and recycled. The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) will be ensuring that this area is fully rehabilitated with minimal impact to marine life or the sea-bed and nearby reef system during the decommissioning process, which will also include the removal of an electrical cable attached to the mainland electrical grid.