Wave energy developer, Carnegie Wave Energy Limited, advises that the CETO 4 unit is awaiting deployment on Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean. The deployment has been delayed and is now awaiting the necessary weather window to ensure a safe installation. Carnegie will provide a further update after installation has occurred.
The CETO 4 unit has been funded by French power company EDF EN and both the French and La Reunion Governments. The manufacture and installation of the unit is being managed by French marine defence contractor DCNS. As previously announced, the manufacture and pre-deployment testing of the unit is complete.
The CETO system distinguishes itself from other wave energy devices by operating out of sight and being anchored to the ocean floor. An array of fully submerged buoys is tethered to seabed pump units. The buoys move in harmony with the motion of the passing waves, driving the pumps which in turn pressurise water that is delivered ashore via a pipeline.
On shore, high-pressure water is used to drive hydroelectric turbines, generating zero-emission electricity. The high-pressure water can also be used to supply a reverse osmosis desalination plant, replacing greenhouse gas emitting electrically driven pumps usually required for such plants.
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Offshore WIND staff, April 04, 2012; Image: carnegiewave