Wave power could run nation

Sydney Morning Herald
Monday 29/9/2008 Page: 6

THE power of waves close to Australia's southern coastline can be harnessed to provide over a third of the nation's electricity, research suggests. The energy swirling through the Southern Ocean could supply the nation's power needs many times over, although only a fraction can be harvested cheaply, a report by engineering consultants RPS MetOcean says.

The independent assessment was commissioned by wave electricity company Carnegie Corporation, which hopes to draw investment in a demonstration facility off Fremantle. It is also examining a potential wave farm site off Eden on the NSW South Coast.

The report estimated that about 17,000 megawatts can be reaped through wave farms in areas with a water depth of less than 25 metres. "The World Energy Council estimates that the energy that could be harvested from the world's oceans is equal to twice the amount of electricity that the world currently consumes," said Carnegie Corporation's managing director, Mike Ottaviano.