The M4 (Moored MultiModal Multibody) Wave Energy Converter (WEC) has successfully been deployed into King George Sound in Albany WA and has begun transmitting data on the power generation from ocean waves.

Over the next six months, the 22-metre, 42-tonne, surface-riding device is expected to generate renewable energy from wave motion while gathering crucial performance data, providing insights into the technology’s effectiveness as a clean energy source for Australia’s Great Southern region.

This marks a step in Australia’s efforts to harness renewable energy from wave motion with the device designed to capture wave-generated energy while providing data on its efficiency and potential as a sustainable energy source.

“It is a world-first, a fully open-sourced wave energy generator for which all data gathered during the operation will be displayed on the specific website and be made available to the public domain,” MERA and UWA Oceans Institute Director, Christophe Gaudin.

“By doing so, we plan to uplift the whole ocean wave energy industry, sharing the lessons learnt during the project and bringing confidence to investors and users. As such, this project is of international significance”. 

More than 80% of the materials and labour involved in the M4 construction were sourced locally from Albany, demonstrating Albany’s local supply chain capability in sustainability projects.

As Blue Economy CEO, Dr John Whittington states,

“Something really important to us is the value of doing research in rural communities. The stock, construction and supply chain, so much value, has come from this community. We hope it can be recognised that the ideas and work being done in Albany is globally significant”. 

The project seeks to test and validate the infrastructure and supply chain necessary for emerging ocean energy markets, including the aquaculture industry in the region, with the project putting Albany on the map as a sustainable energy hub.

The project bought together expertise from project partners including BMT, Climate KIC Australia, Huon Aquaculture, University of Queensland, University of WA, UTAS, M4 WavePower Ltd, Albany Shellfish Hatchery and WA State Government Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

Brad Saunders, Design Project Director for project partner BMT states:

“The M4 Wave Energy Converter deployment represents an exciting milestone for sustainable ocean energy. This project showcases the collaborative strength of BMT’s expertise in Coastal & Maritime and Structural Engineering, Naval Architecture, and Environmental Assessments.”

“It’s been incredibly rewarding to see the hard work of our multidisciplinary design team come to life, offering invaluable insights into wave energy as a clean and reliable source for Australia’s future.”

Real-time data from the M4 device will be publicly available in the coming weeks.

For more information, videos and images visit the project page.