Wedoany.com Report-Jun 29, Carnegie Clean Energy, an Australian wave energy developer, has received AUD 335,020 (approximately $218,000) from the Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre (Blue Economy CRC) to fund preliminary design work for the first commercial pilot of its MoorPower wave energy system in 2025. This initiative builds on the success of the 2024 MoorPower Scaled Demonstrator project, aiming to integrate the technology with aquaculture feeding barges.

The project, conducted in collaboration with Huon Aquaculture, Advanced Composite Structures Australia, the University of Tasmania, and specialist subcontractors, focuses on adapting MoorPower for offshore aquaculture operations. The design phase will address key operational aspects, including mooring configurations, barge movement, and regulatory compliance, to support future investment in a full-scale deployment. “This project follows the successful completion of the MoorPower Scaled Demonstrator Project in 2024 and aims to deliver the required detail to unlock investment in a Commercial Pilot Project, which would be the first commercial application of the MoorPower technology in the aquaculture industry,” a Carnegie spokesperson stated.

MoorPower, a surface-based wave converter system, leverages the same principles as Carnegie’s CETO power take-off technology but at a smaller scale, allowing knowledge transfer to projects like CETO Wave Energy Ireland’s ACHIEVE program in Europe, which received €137,152 in May 2025. Designed for offshore energy needs, MoorPower targets aquaculture barges and vessels, offering detachable modules for easy maintenance in remote locations.

The Blue Economy CRC provides full cash funding, with partners contributing an additional AUD 417,000 in in-kind support. Carnegie and the CRC are also working to secure backing for the construction and operation of the first full-scale system, advancing the technology toward commercial use. The project aims to deliver sustainable energy solutions for aquaculture, reducing reliance on traditional power sources in offshore environments.

By refining MoorPower for practical integration, Carnegie is positioning Australia as a leader in wave energy innovation. The collaboration with industry and academic partners ensures the system meets operational and environmental standards, paving the way for scalable, clean energy solutions in the aquaculture sector.