Drakoo device raises wave of interest

Hann-Ocean Energy has reached new peaks when it comes to the performance of its wave energy device, while at the same time sparking notable interest for worldwide application of its technology.

The Singapore-based company Hann-Ocean Energy participated in the recently held World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in Abu Dhabi, where it informed about new milestones reached in the development of its wave energy technology.

Namely, the company has through Drakoo design optimization and product improvements, conducted over the period of 11 months, managed to increase the peak power output of its device from 1kW to 9.3kW – reached in Hann Ocean’s Chinese testing facility in November 2017.

Having spent close to 10 years and $10 million for the development of Drakoo wave energy converter, Hann-Ocean has unveiled plans to further upgrade the entire electric system of its device to the peak of 15kW in 2018.

The working principle of Drakoo, being a twin-chamber oscillating water column system, is to transform waves into a continuous water flow which drives a hydro turbine generator.

Drakoo has multiple applications in both fixed and floating mode, according to Hann-Ocean.

It can be deployed in shallow or deep waters to supply power to isolated islands, or integrated with breakwaters, floating architectures, or oil & gas platforms to provide baseload power to the grid.

During the WFES event, the company attracted attention from various delegates coming across the globe.

Among these is one Chinese company in nuclear power business which showed interest to explore the potential application of Drakoo wave energy device for diversification of local energy sources with wave energy, Hann-Ocean said.

Another Moroccan company inquired about Drakoo applications for fish farm communities, while the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Maldives invited Hann-Ocean to visit the country and conduct a site survey and the feasibility study in relation to wave device application, the company revealed.

Furthermore, a governmental official from Micronesia is said to have expressed intention to organize a group trip to Hann-Ocean’s factory in China to see Drakoo testing and production lines and to discuss potential pilot projects.

Hann-Ocean also reported about sales inquiries from the Persian Gulf for the application of Drakoo wave energy device for wellhead platforms.