Irish wave energy technology gets funding

The project is being funded by Australian wave energy developer Carnegie Wave Energy Ltd and the Sustainable Energy Association (SEAI).

The project will evaluate potential CETO wave sites in Ireland and develop a site specific conceptual design.

Ireland-based engineering firm RPS Consulting Engineers will undertake the study.

Ireland has also set a National target to produce 33 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020 including specific ocean energy targets of 500MW by 2020.

The CETO system converts wave energy into zero-emission electricity and desalinated water. It is fully submerged and anchored in deep water.

It works through a system of submerged buoys which are tethered to seabed pump units and move with the motion of the passing waves. This drives the pumps, which pressurise water that is delivered ashore via a pipeline.

High-pressure water is used to drive hydroelectric turbines, generating zero-emission electricity.

The high-pressure water can also be used to supply a reverse osmosis desalination plant, replacing greenhouse gas emitting electrically driven pumps usually required for such plants.

The project will be managed through Carnegie’s Irish subsidiary, CETO Wave Energy Ireland Limited

Carnegie’s Dublin-based executive director of European business development, Kieran O’Brien, said: “Reaching formal agreement with SEAI for project funding allows us to begin detailed site assessment and develop the conceptual design of a 5MW commercial demonstration project in Ireland.

“RPS Consulting Engineers have a proven track record in innovative and applied marine engineering and project development, which adds value to the commercial development of CETO”.

Alison Brown