Protean Wave Energy has engaged a global engineering firm to conduct a development study of its Protean wave energy converter (WEC) technology.
The study is timed to coincide with the deployment of Protean WEC demonstration farm at the Port of Bunbury, Western Australia, set to take place this month .
The study will review key inputs into the pre-feasibility study for the planned commercial pilot and an evaluation of the actual compressed air power produced by the demonstration wave farm in contrast to the output anticipated by Protean Wave Energy, the company informed.
The demonstration wave farm is expected to be deployed progressively for a trial period of up to 5 months, during which the performance data will be collected.
The Protean WEC works when waves moving past the buoy cause it to move in a circular manner. As the buoy moves, the counterweights also move, continuously lengthening and shortening mooring cables, which cause the pulleys to rotate.
As the pulleys rotate, shaft power is created and using electric, hydraulic or water pump – the wave energy is converted into a usable form.