New technology tested in the Cromarty Firth is set to play a key role in the world’s largest wave energy project.
The Victorian Wave Partners scheme, which will sit off the Australian coast, is set to produce up to 62.5MW at peak output- enought to power 10,000 homes.
The £121million new venture will use Ocean Power Technologies’ powerbuoy wave converter system – which have previously been used by the US Navy to power tracking systems aimed at stopping drug smugglers.
The project, being developed by OPT and Lockheed Martin, is being backed by a £37million (AU$66.5million) grant by the Australian government as part of a bid to encourage renewable energy technology down under.
“This project extends our established relationship with OPT and Australian industry and enables us to demonstrate a clean, efficient energy source for Australia and the world.” said Lockheed Martin’s ocean energy boss Tim Fuhr.