Australian wave energy company Bombora Wave Power has launched a mid-scale field trial of its Wave Energy Converter at Melville Waters in Perth.

The Wave Energy Converter uses a unique ramp-like design, comprising a concrete base with a sloping membrane wall, to extract energy from both the heave and surge motions of a wave. The company’s co-founder, Glen Ryan, explains the technology in the video clip below

Each unit is rated at 1.5 megawatts, giving it the potential to supply electricity for 500 homes or to deliver a billion litres of desalinated water each year.

Previously, Bombora has completed small-scale trials with the Australian Maritime College, the Pawsey Supercomputing Centre and with four West Australian Universities. The mid-scale trial will allow Bombora to test a number of system configurations before launching into full-scale commercial trials.