Energetech’s commercially-efficient wave energy technology is turning the tide for wave power.

Energetech’s high-efficiency turbine can attach to existing breakwaters and marine structures or be included as an integral part of new structures

Energetech Australia Pty Ltd has developed a new and commercially-efficient system for extracting energy from ocean waves and converting it to electricity. The technology now makes it possible for wave energy to provide a cheap, sustainable source of power to grid-connected and remote power users. In the words of the European Union’s independent adviser on wave energy, the Energetech technology is “likely to make wave energy commercially viable for the first time”.

Markets
The technology has been proven technically feasible, and construction of the first wave power plant using the Energetech technology will commence early this year at Port Kembla, 100km south of Sydney. Energetech has also been chosen by British Columbia Hydro, via a competitive bid process, to develop the world’s first truly commercial wave power plant on the west coast of Vancouver Island, starting in 2003. Energetech has researched and tested the market from a global perspective and will be pursuing opportunities around the world.

Wave farms
The Energetech system can be deployed as a single device, or strung together in a series, similar in concept to wind energy’s ‘wind farms’. The customers for the Energetech system are power utilities, single industrial users in heavy and remote industry, and remote communities and islands which are currently without power or rely on diesel. The technology can also be used in hybrid renewable projects in suitable locations, and combined with wind or solar. It can also be used as an integrated component in the construction of coastal structures, such as harbour breakwaters.

The Energetech business model is to be the designer, developer and manufacturer of Wave Energy Systems for a global market. Energetech’s initial competitive strength and sustainable competitive advantage is in developing and refining wave energy technology.

R&D
In order to maintain its technological edge, Energetech supports a comprehensive Research and Development programme. Strategic R&D is performed in-house and in collaboration with several Australian and international university departments and private research organisations. By working with these organisations, Energetech’s research engineers draw on the skills of world experts, while building special in-house capabilities to further all aspects of the technology. Areas of research span many disciplines including ocean wave hydrodynamics and marine engineering, mechanical and electrical engineering, and environmental science.

Based on conservative assumptions, it is forecast that in 10 years, wave energy will attain a 10% share of the combined market for wind, solar and wave energy. At good wave sites, with second generation designs, the cost of electricity from the Energetech technology should be below US4¢ per kWh.

For more information please contact:
Energetech Australia Pty. Ltd,
1 The Avenue, Randwick,
NSW 2031 Australia.
Email: info@energetech.com.au
Website: www.energetech.com.au