Blue Economy CRC Announces the Collaborative Project between Carnegie Clean Energy, Advanced Composite Structures Australia, University of Queensland and ClimateKIC.

Mooring Tensioner for Wave Energy Converters (MoTWEC)

This industry-focused Blue Economy CRC project led by Alexandre Pichard, Chief Technology Officer of Carnegie Clean Energy Limited will develop the novel Mooring Tensioner, a key component that will support the use of rotary power take-off systems and associated cost reductions for wave energy converters.

The efficient and cost-effective conversion of wave energy into electrical energy has remained an unsolved technological challenge. This project will develop, proof test and demonstrate a novel energy storage element, the Mooring Tensioner, enabling the use of rotary electrical generators for Wave Energy Converters.

The delivered efficiency advantages will significantly enhance the competitiveness of Wave Energy Converter technologies, thereby supporting the supply of low-cost energy to the onshore grid, offshore platforms and aquaculture sites.

Project Leader, Alexandre Pichard states,

“The team at Carnegie is very excited to start the Mooring Tensioner project wth our partners Advanced Composite Structures Australia, University of Queensland and ClimateKIC.”

“The Blue Economy CRC has supported the creation of a unique collaboration, gathering cutting edge expertise in marine technology design, composite material design and testing.”

The project team members have already completed initial work to develop the concept and explore the benefits and opportunities of developing a Mooring Tensioner from advanced composite materials. The Mooring Tensioner will be delivered in high performance, lightweight and durable fibre reinforced composites, allowing easier integration to the space-constrained wave energy converter environment.

“The Mooring Tensioner is a key enabler of innovative rotary power take-off systems for wave energy converters with the potential to deliver significant efficiency gains and cost savings. The Mooring Tensioner also has promising applications in aquaculture and other offshore applications which will be explored by this project. Carnegie is very grateful to Blue Economy CRC for their support and engagement with this project.” says Alexandre.

Blue Economy CRC CEO, John Whittington, states,

“To undertake this important collaborative project, the Blue Economy CRC is providing $850,000 to develop a Mooring Tensioner for Wave Energy Converters. This $1.6 million project is led by Carnegie with partners Advanced Composite Structures Australia (ACS-A), University of Queensland and ClimateKIC representing the Australian Ocean Energy Group.”

Over the next two years, the project will follow a prototype design, development and testing approach in which the project participants will work together to:

  • Define requirements
  • Select composite materials
  • Develop prototype designs and models
  • Test composite materials
  • Manufacture a scale prototype Mooring Tensioner
  • Build a bespoke test rig
  • Undertake a test program on the Mooring Tensioner assembly and other connected components at Carnegie’s Rous Head research facility in North Fremantle.

To find out more about the project visit the Mooring Tensioner for WECs project page.

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