Carnegie evaluates wave energy potential in Ireland

The project is 50 per cent funded by the SEAI and 50 per cent by Carnegie Wave Energy, and forms the first phase of detailed design for a potential 5MW commercial demonstration project in Irish waters. The project will be managed through Carnegie’s Irish subsidiary, CETO Wave Energy Ireland.

Carnegie’s Dublin-based executive director of European business development, Kieran O’Brien, said: ’Reaching a formal agreement with SEAI for project funding allows us to begin detailed site assessment and develop the conceptual design of a 5MW commercial demonstration project in Ireland.’

Ireland-based engineering specialists RPS Consulting Engineers has been appointed to undertake the study.

Carnegie Wave Energy is focusing its efforts on developing and commercialising its CETO wave energy technology, which is named after a Greek sea goddess.

Unlike other wave energy systems currently under development, the CETO wave power converter is fully submerged and permanently anchored to the sea floor, producing high-pressure seawater from the power of waves that is then delivered onshore to create electricity or freshwater using standard reverse osmosis desalination technology.