Clean energy from ocean waves. BMT with crucial role in the success of M4 in Albany, WA

We are excited to announce that the M4 (Moored MultiModal Multibody) Wave Energy Converter (WEC) has successfully been deployed into King George Sound in Albany WA.

The M4, a joint project between Blue Economy CRC, State Government Western Australia, and University of Western Australia, captures energy through the flexing motion of a hinged floating structure, converting wave movement into electricity.

The successful launch of this scaled-down demonstration marks significant step towards realising the potential of wave energy in powering Australia’s future.

M4 deployment in Albany Sound

Our role as lead engineering design consultant

As the lead engineering design consultant, our expertise spanned across multiple aspects of the project:

• Structural and Dynamic Design: Our team has taken the lead in the engineering of the floating device and its hinged structure, performing hydraulic and hydrodynamic stability assessments and dynamic load analyses. This design work ensures the M4 WEC can endure the powerful wave action along the Southern Ocean while maintaining optimal energy capture efficiency.
• Environmental Guidance and Reporting: we provided environmental reporting and licensing support, allowing the project to move forward with full regulatory compliance. Our goal is to help set a precedent for sustainable wave energy development in one of the world's most promising marine energy environments.
• Technical Documentation and Oversight: we developed comprehensive technical documentation for the M4 device, including drawings, specifications, and technical review of implementation phase. Our team has also contributed to project governance, with BMT representatives on the M4 Management Committee.

“The M4 Wave Energy Converter deployment represents an exciting milestone for sustainable ocean energy. This project showcases the collaborative strength of BMT’s expertise in Coastal & Maritime and Structural Engineering, Naval Architecture, and Environmental Assessments. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see the hard work of our multidisciplinary design team come to life, offering invaluable insights into wave energy as a clean and reliable source for Australia’s future.” – Brad Saunders, Design Project Director for the project from BMT.

M4 deployment in Albany, WA

The M4 project, developed in collaboration with experts across engineering, environmental science, and energy, is not just a testbed but a model for scalable, renewable marine energy that could one day be an integral part of Australia's clean energy landscape.

We look forward to continued collaboration and innovation as we work together toward a future powered by clean, reliable marine energy.