Standards Development

Scope

The standard is for small/tiny wave energy converters (S/T-WECs) with power less than kilowatt levels. The main function of this kind of devices is to meet the small or micro energy demand in the ocean, such as power supply for ocean navigation, observation instruments and equipment. The standard includes regulations on a series of research and development (R&D) issues of the S/T-WEC, such as its definition, application condition, wave energy capture, power take-off system, positioning system, in-site test, maintenance, etc. The standard is expected to guide and normalize the process of R&D of the S/T-WECs. The standard does not include the R&D and design process of marine navigation & observation instruments devices.

Purpose

With the abundant reserves and endless vitality of renewable resources, the development and utilization of wave energy is an effective means to reduce global carbon emissions, and is a highly concerned issue in the industrial and academic fields. However, due to the inadequacy of wave energy capture technology, the vast majority of wave energy converters can only improve wave energy capture capabilities by increasing their physical dimension. This will lead to high manufacture and operation costs for wave energy conversion devices, and will seriously hindering the commercial application of wave energy generation.

On the other hand, with the exploration of the ocean gradually deepens, the demand for energy at sea is increasing, especially for small or micro scale energy consumption below kilowatts, such as power supply for ocean navigation and observation instruments and equipment. S/T-WECs can provide solutions for small energy consumption demands. They are characterized by low power, small size, and hybrid power supply, and are often integrated with ocean navigation and observation equipment. Compared to the currently popular large-sized wave energy conversion devices, S/T-WECs have significantly reduced costs in design, research and development, manufacturing, operation and maintenance, and have commercial application prospects.

Up to the present time, there are no specific development guidelines for S/T-WECs, and the existing standards cannot cover the development process of S/T-WECs. In view of this, we propose research and development guidelines tailored for S/T-WECs. This standard clarifies the definition of S/T-WECs and specifies the development procedures and specific technical requirements from design, manufacturing to operation and maintenance for S/T-WECs that supply power to marine instruments and equipment. It can support the development of S/T-WECs with different wave energy conversion principles and power supply instrument equipment objects, in order to improve the safety and reliability of such wave energy devices, and accelerate the commercial application of S/T-WECs.