China has developed the device which is a combination of semi-submersible barge and wave energy conversion device currently under trials in South China Sea, off Wanshan island.
Sharp Eagle ‘Wanshan’, developed by the Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion (GIEC), is 36 m long, 24 m wide and 16 m high wave energy converter.
The device is a combination of semi-submersible barge and wave energy conversion device that can either be anchored, towed, or submerged to certain depths to behave as wave energy power generation unit.
The wave power capacity installed of ‘Wanshan’ is 120 kW, which will be further expanded, GIEC informed.
Also, GIEC is planning to to install solar panels, wind turbines and desalination unit on the top platform of device, thus creating a floating multi-energy complementary platform for power generation and desalinization.
Sharp Eagle ‘Wanshan’ WEC is equipped with batteries, inverters, data collection and monitoring equipment, and satellite transmission equipment, according to GIEC.
The device is capable of supplying electricity for both the island by submarine cables, and for various instruments and equipment located on the device.
The first stage of Sharp Eagle ‘Wanshan’ WEC sea trials has started in December 2015.
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