Australian Wave Energy Prototype Wraps up Demonstration Campaign

Wedoany.com Report-May 6, On May 1, 2025, the University of Western Australia’s Oceans Institute completed a six-month deployment of the Moored MultiModal Multibody (M4) wave energy converter, named ‘Kwilyilah,’ in King George Sound, Albany. The prototype was lifted from Albany Marina, marking the end of the campaign that began on November 8, 2024.

The 22-meter, 42-tonne M4 device, designed to harness energy from waves, operated for over 130 days, generating power for approximately 300 hours. During this period, the project team collected more than 3 terabytes of data, which will be analyzed in the coming months to evaluate the device’s efficiency and its potential as a renewable energy source.

The M4, constructed with structural steel beams and four steel floater buoys for buoyancy, features a triangular forward frame, a trailing arm, and a power generator at the connecting hinge. Its design enables it to capture wave energy effectively while maintaining stability in marine conditions.

Named ‘Kwilyilah,’ meaning “dolphin” in collaboration with the Albany Heritage Reference Group, the device honors Noongar cultural heritage. The name reflects the device’s dynamic motion above water, resembling a dolphin’s leap, and acknowledges the cultural significance of dolphins to coastal communities.

The project, led by UWA’s Marine Energy Research Australia, is supported by the Blue Economy CRC and the Western Australian State Government. It contributes to research exploring the Great Southern region’s potential as a hub for wave energy development. The data gathered will provide insights into the viability of wave energy as a sustainable resource, advancing efforts to diversify energy solutions.