The three buoyant actuators form the proprietary wave energy collection system of Carnegie's Perth Wave Energy Project, which is due to be commissioned in the next few months.

The units are being fitted out with instrumentation and energy relief systems ahead of assembly to tethers, pumps and foundations connectors.

These buoys will help convert the energy in the ocean's wave to drive offshore seabed pumps.

The high-pressure water from those pumps will be carried through a subsea pipeline to an onshore power station, driving hydroelectric turbines. The sea water will also be fed into an onshore desalination plant to supply fresh water without the need for electrically driven pumps.

This way the CETO system will supply power and water to the Australian Department of Defence for use at Australia's largest naval base HMAS Stirling on Garden Island in Western Australia.

Perhaps more importantly for Carnegie, it will also supply the company's first revenues and will be a significant step towards commercialising its technology.

The Perth Wave Energy Project is expected to be the first operating wave-energy array project in the world and the first to produce both clean energy and freshwater.

Federal Minister for Industry Ian Macfarlane, who officiated at the unveiling, called Carnegie's technology "one of the most exciting forms of renewable energy.

"The project at Carnegie Wave Energy is a great example of Australian ingenuity," he said.

"Carnegie has shown long-term commitment to the development of this technology.

"I'm delighted that they are now at the business end of the process.

"Once it's developed on a larger scale, this type of alternative energy source will play a role in helping lower carbon emissions, both in Australia and in other countries."

Carnegie Wave Energy CEO and managing director Dr Michael Ottaviano said the buoys represented the "pointy end" of the Perth Wave Energy Project.

"More than $70 million has been invested in commercialising this technology and now the finish line is in sight."

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency has put $13.1 million in funding into the project.

ARENA CEO Ivor Frischknecht said there was great potential for wave energy in Australia, with a range of competitive technologies being developed towards commercialisation.

"Australia's wave energy resources along our south and southwest coasts are among the best in the world and, importantly, can be reliably predicted days ahead," Frischknecht said.