Carnegie Wave Energy has demonstrated the ability to swap CETO units during plant operation by retrieving the second CETO 5 unit and deploying CETO unit #1 in its place last week.
The retrieval of the second CETO 5 unit was informed by lessons learnt during the retrieval of the first CETO 5 unit earlier this year. As with the first unit, CETO 5 unit #2 was retrieved on its first attempt by disconnecting the unit from the seabed foundation, using the hydraulic “quick connect” technology.
CETO 5 unit #1, which had been inspected and overhauled over the past months, was then installed in the former position of unit #2.
This operation was deliberately carried out in the higher sea state conditions that tend to prevail off the Western Australian coast between July and September. It demonstrates the ease at which the CETO system can be installed and retrieved and its interchangeability across multiple unit locations. Both of these factors are important for future operation and maintenance activities, Carnegie said.
Carnegie Chief Operating Officer, Greg Allen , said: “The successful retrieval of the CETO units after record breaking operational hours has validated Carnegie’s installation and retrieval methodology. We have shown that our units are able to survive and operate over a sustained period of time in a variety of weather conditions, addressing the key industry challenges of survivability and reliability.”
Carnegie has now successfully retrieved two out of its three installed units, as well as redeployed the first unit. The redeployed CETO 5 unit #1 is now in a final, post-winter data collection campaign.
The learnings from these operation and maintenance activities are being fed into the design phase for the CETO 6 Project at Garden Island.