Wedoany.com Report-May 7, Carnegie Clean Energy, an Australian wave energy developer, has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chugachmiut, an Alaska Native tribal consortium, to explore the deployment of Carnegie’s CETO wave energy technology in Southcentral Alaska’s Chugach Region. The agreement, announced recently, builds on ongoing discussions to assess the feasibility of wave energy projects in the area.
The MoU outlines a collaborative effort to evaluate technical and commercial pathways for CETO deployment. Planned activities include wave buoy deployments, bathymetric surveys, reviews of local infrastructure, stakeholder engagement, and securing project funding. The agreement has an initial three-year term, with the option to extend by mutual consent, and each party will cover its own costs.
The partnership aims to harness the significant renewable energy potential in Alaska’s offshore waters. A 2023 report by the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management estimated 3,800 gigawatts of combined wind, wave, and tidal energy capacity in the region. Additionally, research by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory identified a substantial wave energy resource off Southcentral Alaska, warranting further exploration.
Carnegie’s CEO, Jonathan Fievez, emphasized the strategic fit of the collaboration: “The relationship formalised in this MOU reflects Carnegie’s business model to provide our wave energy technology to renewable energy project developers and owners globally. We are thrilled to have passionate partners like Chugachmiut approaching us with a vision to deploy CETO in their communities. We look forward to continuing to deepen our understanding of their needs and exploring how CETO can bring sustainable and secure energy to the Chugach Region.”
Chugachmiut’s Executive Director, Angela Vanderpool, highlighted the potential benefits: “This revolutionary wave conversion system can potentially supply electricity to communities in the Chugach Region. We are excited for the potential of lowering energy costs in the region, and it’s clean, renewable, and sustainable.”
The collaboration aligns with Carnegie’s global efforts to advance wave energy technology. Recently, Carnegie Technologies Spain, a wholly owned subsidiary, received a €1,171,800 advance payment from the Spanish government to support the construction of Europe’s first CETO wave energy unit. The partnership with Chugachmiut represents a step toward expanding clean energy solutions in Alaska, supporting local communities with sustainable and cost-effective power while contributing to global renewable energy goals.
This initiative underscores the potential for wave energy to address energy needs in coastal regions, leveraging innovative technology to deliver reliable and environmentally friendly power.
