Projects

• 02-Dec-2010Port Fairy, Victoria, AustraliaA pilot demonstration project is in development at a coastal site near Port Fairy, Australia. The project is currently in the pre-construction stage. Installation of a 250kW grid-connected bioWAVE is scheduled to occur in 2013.  For more information and the latest updates, please click below.
  Latest updates

  About the Project

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  The Port Fairy Pilot Wave Energy Project involves installation and ocean-testing of a pilot bioWAVE unit, which consists of a 30m high steel structure that sways back and forth, largely below the surface of the ocean, through an arc of up to 40 degrees. This oscillating motion will activate opposing hydraulic cylinders such that the pressurised hydraulic fluid spins a 250kW generator to produce electricity. The electricity will be transported to the grid via a subsea cable.

  The $15m Project is designed to test this patented technology in the high wave energy environment of the Southern Ocean. It has received funding from both the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments.

  The bioWAVE pilot is scheduled for installation in 2013, and once commissioned, it is expected to operate for a 21-month period before being decommissioned. Periodic maintenance and testing will be carried out during the operating period, which will culminate with an independent assessment of the bioWAVE performance.

  The Project will provide key data for the design of a larger 1MW commercial-scale bioWAVE unit, which is planned as the next phase of development of the technology.

  Port Fairy

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  • 15-Mar-2013 Public Information Session - 21 March 2013

    A Public Information Session will be held from 7-8pm on 21 March 2013 at Charlies on East, East Beach, Port Fairy.  Representatives from BioPower Systems will present an update on the Port Fairy Wave Energy Project, and will show preliminary plans for cabling and bioWAVE design.  For more information, please contact Sabine Prill (02) 9146 4420.

  • 21-Jan-2013 NEWSLETTER - Port Fairy Project - January 2013

    Download the January 2013 Newsletter for the Port Fairy Project (PDF 0.49Mb) > click here

  • 02-Jan-2013 Come see us at the Moyneyana Festival on 18 January 2013

    We'll be at the Moyneyana Festival on 18 January 2013.  Please come by our table on the Village Green between 10:30am and 2:30pm.  We would be very pleased to describe our bioWAVE technology, and to answer any questions you may have about the Port Fairy Wave Energy Project.  Hope to see you there.

  • 01-Jan-2013 Planning Permit and CMA Act Consent granted

    A Planning Permit has been issued by Moyne Shire Council for the onshore works associated with the project.  Also, conditional consent has been granted under the Coast Management Act (Victoria State Goverment) for the development of coast waters for the purpose of the wave energy pilot project.

  • 25-Jul-2012 Public Information Sessions to be held on 31 July 2012 and 1 August 2012

    Two public information sessions will be held in Port Fairy and Yambuk.  The sessions open to all and we hope you can attend to hear about the project, ask questions, or share your views.  The sessions are scheduled as follows:
    
    7pm-8pm Tuesday 31 July 2012:  Drill Hall, The Victoria Hotel, 42 Bank Street, Port Fairy
    7pm-8pm Wednesday 1 August 2012:  Yambuk Inn Hotel, Yambuk

  • 05-Jul-2012 Port Fairy Project fully funded and officially underway

    On 3 July 2012 Federal Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson AM MP, announced a $5.6 million funding award to the project.  This adds to the $5 million provided by the Victorian Government, and cash and equipment provided by BioPower Systems and other project participants.  The project is currently in the late stages of design, and regulatory approvals are currently pending.  Fabrication of the main bioWAVE structure is scheduled to commence later in 2012.
• 02-Dec-2010King Island, Tasmania, AustraliaBioPower Systems has conducted preliminary investigations and site analysis for a potential bioWAVE^TM installation at King Island, Tasmania.
• 02-Dec-2010Flinders Island, Tasmania, AustraliaBioPower Systems has conducted preliminary investigations, site analysis and site design for a potential bioSTREAM^TM pilot installation at Flinders Island, Tasmania.
• 02-Dec-2010Cantabria, SpainA pre-commercial bioWAVE^TM demonstration project is under consideration for installation off the North coast of Spain.
• 05-Jan-2011San Francisco, USASite evaluation and feasibility work has been conducted for a potential bioWAVE^TM commercial project offshore of the City of San Francisco, USA.