Protean Wave Energy has deployed its first wave energy converter buoy at Port of Bunbury in Western Australia.
The company said deployment will enable it to collect operational and environmental data for a pre-feasibility assessment ahead of a commercial pilot wave farm.
Protean said its demo wave farm is being deployed progressively with stage one consisting of three buoys.
The two remaining buoys, which are currently being manufactured and tested, will be deployed in the “coming weeks”, the company said.
Stage one will be in operation up to a maximum period ending 30 September.
Data will be collected via a sensor package on each buoy and transmitted to the cloud via the mobile network, Protean said.
An initial assessment of the performance data in stage one will help determine whether a second stage of deployment with additional buoys is required, the company added.
Protean said it is also continuing plans to deploy converters in California off the Cal Poly research pier.
Protean Wave Energy managing director Bruce Lane said: “We’re focused not only on opportunities in Australia but are continuing to seek additional partnerships and commercial deployment opportunities in international markets.”
Image: Protean Wave Energy’s converter buoy (Protean)
