Hann-Ocean Energy launched their first third-generation 15-kilowatt wave energy converter (WEC) in Shengsi archipelago, China successfully on the 8th of January 2022. It is entering a one-year sea trial, with the device expected to generate 70,000 kWh of power annually. By July 2022, the first round of sea trial successfully completed. In the following five and a half months, Hann-Ocean's R&D team carried out 21 technical modifications to the equipment, and successfully launched the second round of sea trial on February 21, 2023, aiming to improve the stability and reliability of its operation.
Hann-Ocean accumulated and analyzed during the six-month offshore test in 2022. The test focuses on the stability, reliability, corrosion resistance and pollution resistance of the wave power generation. The test results will deepen the application and integration of wind, light, wave and other energy micro-grid clusters on the island in the future. It will also provide statistical data on local wave energy resources of the island.
The generator is of a cubic modular design, with dimensions of 3 x 3.5x 5.1 meters and weighs 15 tons. It was independently researched and developed by Hann-Ocean Energy. Drakoo is able to transform random sea waves into a unidirectional stream of water, through the use of multiple passive one-way valves, such that the hydro turbine continuously turns and creates power. One of the key strengths of this device is the ability to generate electricity even with a miniscule wave height of 0.1 meters. This ability makes the WEC extremely versatile, being capable of generating power even when deployed in areas with relatively calm waters.
Drakoo has the advantages of high energy conversion efficiency, compact and modular design, cost-effectiveness, and integration with other offshore structures seamlessly.
With the Pacific Ocean to the east, Shengsi is particularly rich in wave energy resources and suitable for all-round in-depth development. The sea trial in Shengsi focused on collecting data and testing its corrosion resistance, sediment resistance and durability, to provide data support for future large-scale commercial applications.
Once the project succeeds, it can be promoted and applied at ports, breakwater, and other locations, and become a supplement to the traditional energy sources in remote islands. County Economic and Information Bureau and other government agencies of Shengsi expressed their support for Hann-Ocean Energy to build a wave energy sea trial base on the island, further expand the scale of sea trial and promote the industrialization of wave energy through its economic value and scope of application.
