Wave tank testing begins for Carnegie’s CETO 6 project in UK

Australian wave energy developer Carnegie Wave Energy (CWE) has commenced wave tank testing of the CETO 6 technology design at the University of Plymouth’s Coastal, Ocean and Sediment (COAST) facility in the UK.

The testing program is intended to assess the CETO 6 technology’s performance across a range of operational and extreme sea states.

CWE UK CEO Tim Sawyer said that the program, which involves more than 340 tests across a range of sea states, builds on the company’s internal modeling.

The trials also build on previous wave tank testing and in-ocean operation of the CETO 5 system in the Perth wave energy project in Australia.

Sawyer added: "These tests are aimed at evaluating and informing the design of our CETO 6 technology."

The wave tank tests are expected to provide quick and cost effective way for the company to understand how the CETO device interacts with waves and other physical processes.

The testing program will also include optimization of Carnegie’s power take-off system operation and control; validation of Carnegie’s in-house modelling suite; as well as validating load case for Ceto system design.

Sawyer said: "What this does is optimize system design and performance ahead of larger scale testing in open water environments."

Carnegie said that discussions with academic and industry experts have also been commenced to explore opportunities to support CETO wave development in the UK.

University of Plymouth Coast Laboratory director Professor Deborah Greaves said: "We are delighted to be hosting and working with Carnegie Wave Energy on such a comprehensive testing program and to be discussing opportunities for further collaboration.

"Their visit has also enabled us to bring together industry representatives, academics and students for discussion and exploration of key issues in the sector."

The CETO 6 project features submerged buoys which oscillate with the ocean’s waves and transfer energy to a power conversion unit located inside the buoy. The generated power is then transmitted to onshore via a subsea cable.