QLD Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Stephen Robertson said that the Bligh Government had invested $160,000 to help bring wave power to life.

“At this stage Advanced Wave Power’s commercial versions would be aimed at small scale generation in Queensland - predicted to able to support 30-40 homes,” said Mr Robertson.

“However, by investing in new technology the Bligh Government is creating opportunities to improve wave power technology so it can make a significant contribution to Queensland’s green energy future,” Mr Robertson added.

Mr Robertson said that Advanced Wave Power’s technology is a variation upon existing oscillating water column technology and uses an array of linked columns, rather than a single column, to ensure constant flow for a turbine.

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Advanced Wave Power has been building and testing laboratory prototypes at the University of Queensland’s wave labs for a number of years prior to the launch.