What is a Power Take-Off (PTO) system and why is it important for wave energy?

The Power Take-Off (PTO) system is the heart of a wave energy converter, responsible for transforming the mechanical kinetic energy captured from ocean waves into usable electricity. Its efficiency directly dictates the overall power output and economic viability of the wave energy device, making its design and reliability critical for commercial success.

Why was the Biscay Marine Energy Platform (BiMEP) chosen for this deployment?

BiMEP is a premier European open-sea test center that offers high-energy wave resources, pre-installed subsea grid connections, and established environmental permits. Testing at BiMEP allows Carnegie Clean Energy to validate its technology in real Atlantic ocean conditions while safely exporting generated power directly to the onshore grid.

How does CETO differ from other wave energy technologies?

Unlike many surface-floating wave energy devices, CETO is a fully submerged buoy technology that operates beneath the ocean surface. This unique design protects the equipment from the most damaging storm forces at the surface, increasing survivability while still capturing the orbital energy of passing waves.

Offshore Energy · June 29, 2026 (Jun 29) · 1 min read

PTO module assembly starts for BiMEP-destined wave energy unit ahead of October deployment

Analysis

AI-assisted analysis · reviewed by Yuri Kan

The commencement of the Power Take-Off (PTO) module assembly for Carnegie Clean Energy's CETO wave energy converter marks a critical transition from theoretical design to physical deployment at the Biscay Marine Energy Platform (BiMEP). This development represents a significant step forward for utility-scale wave energy, testing the commercial viability of advanced hydraulic-to-electric conversion systems in harsh offshore environments. If successful, this deployment could accelerate the integration of wave energy into national grids, offering a highly predictable baseload alternative to solar and wind.

Key Facts

Assembly has officially commenced on the first of three Power Take-Off (PTO) modules for Carnegie Clean Energy's proprietary CETO wave energy device.
The CETO wave energy unit is scheduled for offshore deployment in October 2024.
The deployment and testing phase will take place at the Biscay Marine Energy Platform (BiMEP), a dedicated open-sea testing facility in the Basque Country, Spain.
The PTO system is a critical component responsible for converting the kinetic energy of ocean waves into grid-ready electricity.
Carnegie Clean Energy is utilizing this deployment to validate the operational efficiency, survivability, and commercial readiness of its latest CETO iteration under real-world marine conditions.

Background & Context

Wave energy has historically lagged behind wind and solar power due to the extreme engineering challenges of operating in corrosive, high-energy marine environments. Carnegie Clean Energy has spent over a decade refining its submerged CETO technology, which operates fully underwater to avoid the destructive forces of breaking waves. The BiMEP test site in Spain provides the necessary grid-connected infrastructure, permitting, and environmental monitoring to allow developers to prove their technologies at scale before commercial commercialization.

Market Impact

The successful assembly and upcoming deployment of the CETO unit will provide vital performance data that could de-risk future investments in wave energy for utilities and offshore developers. For the broader marine renewables sector, this project serves as a bellwether for whether wave energy can achieve cost-competitiveness with offshore wind. Key stakeholders, including European grid operators and marine engineering firms, will closely monitor the PTO's efficiency, as the power take-off system represents a major cost driver in wave energy economics.

What to Watch

Following the completion of the PTO module assembly, the CETO unit will undergo rigorous dry-testing before being transported to the Basque Country. The primary milestone to watch is the scheduled October 2024 deployment at BiMEP, followed by the first transmission of wave-generated electricity to the Spanish grid. Success in this phase will likely trigger discussions for larger, multi-megawatt commercial wave farms in Europe and Australia.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Power Take-Off (PTO) system and why is it important for wave energy?: The Power Take-Off (PTO) system is the heart of a wave energy converter, responsible for transforming the mechanical kinetic energy captured from ocean waves into usable electricity. Its efficiency directly dictates the overall power output and economic viability of the wave energy device, making its design and reliability critical for commercial success.
Why was the Biscay Marine Energy Platform (BiMEP) chosen for this deployment?: BiMEP is a premier European open-sea test center that offers high-energy wave resources, pre-installed subsea grid connections, and established environmental permits. Testing at BiMEP allows Carnegie Clean Energy to validate its technology in real Atlantic ocean conditions while safely exporting generated power directly to the onshore grid.
How does CETO differ from other wave energy technologies?: Unlike many surface-floating wave energy devices, CETO is a fully submerged buoy technology that operates beneath the ocean surface. This unique design protects the equipment from the most damaging storm forces at the surface, increasing survivability while still capturing the orbital energy of passing waves.

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