SDG7
NCKU develops Taiwan's first shore-based oscillating wave power system.
National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) has partnered with several universities and research institutions in Southern Taiwan to successfully develop Taiwan's first domestically produced shore-based oscillating water column wave power generation system, "WaveArm." The system completed tank testing today (December 4), performing excellently and surpassing the efficiency of international counterparts. This marks a major breakthrough in Taiwan's marine renewable energy technology and makes a tangible contribution to promoting sustainable development and energy transformation.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration Creates Domestic Innovative Technology
This research was funded by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) and led by NCKU, integrating expertise from the university’s Oceanography Center, Hydraulics Laboratory, Department of Hydraulic Engineering, as well as Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology’s Department of Maritime Information Technology, the Industrial Technology Research Institute, and Hengs Technology Co., Ltd. The team covers a wide range of fields, including electromechanical control, structural design, energy materials, marine engineering, field observation, hydraulic testing, and numerical simulation, showcasing the high-efficiency results of interdisciplinary collaboration. It provides solid technical support for Taiwan's development of diverse energy solutions.
Innovative Design Provides Efficient, Low-Impact Solution
"WaveArm" adopts an innovative oscillating arm structure design. The system consists of a buoy, an oscillating arm, and an energy capture system (PTO), weighing approximately 3 tons. Since ocean waves are constant, "WaveArm" generates electricity by harnessing the up-and-down motion of the waves to drive the generator, allowing it to generate power year-round. Its shore-based design allows the system to be installed on breakwaters, avoiding offshore construction and reducing the impact on fisheries and marine ecosystems. This helps Taiwan quickly achieve its goal of marine energy generation.
Pioneering Prototype and Testing
Professor Dong-Jiing Doong, Director of the Oceanography Center at NCKU and the project’s lead, stated, "In this phase, we have built a kilowatt-level prototype for testing. After nearly two years of R&D, the results from tank testing have been satisfactory. We hope the NSTC will continue supporting further R&D and field testing." Professor You-Ren Chen, Director of the South Taiwan Science Park Incubation Center and South Taiwan University of Science and Technology, added, "All components of this prototype are locally designed and manufactured, fully mastering the key technologies. This is a major breakthrough in domestic energy technology. In the future, we hope to establish a facility in the Southern Taiwan Science Park, providing new green power sources for businesses in the park." Professor Shih-Chun Hsiao, Director of the Hydraulics Laboratory at NCKU, emphasized, "We hope this wave power generation research will serve as an opportunity to promote more cross-campus collaboration, creating a research innovation hub in Southern Taiwan and supporting the country’s marine energy development policies."
Supporting the Net-Zero Goal and Creating New Energy Directions
The NSTC is promoting forward-looking technological development and practical applications to achieve the "2050 Net-Zero Carbon Emission" goal. It funds academic research in areas such as hydrogen energy, marine energy, energy storage, grid systems, and carbon capture and reuse, with a focus on practical applications. The "WaveArm" oscillating wave power generation system, as an important result of the first phase of the project, symbolizes a new step for Taiwan in the field of renewable energy and provides strong support for the future development of marine renewable energy in Taiwan.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration Creates Domestic Innovative Technology
This research was funded by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) and led by NCKU, integrating expertise from the university’s Oceanography Center, Hydraulics Laboratory, Department of Hydraulic Engineering, as well as Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology’s Department of Maritime Information Technology, the Industrial Technology Research Institute, and Hengs Technology Co., Ltd. The team covers a wide range of fields, including electromechanical control, structural design, energy materials, marine engineering, field observation, hydraulic testing, and numerical simulation, showcasing the high-efficiency results of interdisciplinary collaboration. It provides solid technical support for Taiwan's development of diverse energy solutions.
Innovative Design Provides Efficient, Low-Impact Solution
"WaveArm" adopts an innovative oscillating arm structure design. The system consists of a buoy, an oscillating arm, and an energy capture system (PTO), weighing approximately 3 tons. Since ocean waves are constant, "WaveArm" generates electricity by harnessing the up-and-down motion of the waves to drive the generator, allowing it to generate power year-round. Its shore-based design allows the system to be installed on breakwaters, avoiding offshore construction and reducing the impact on fisheries and marine ecosystems. This helps Taiwan quickly achieve its goal of marine energy generation.
Pioneering Prototype and Testing
Professor Dong-Jiing Doong, Director of the Oceanography Center at NCKU and the project’s lead, stated, "In this phase, we have built a kilowatt-level prototype for testing. After nearly two years of R&D, the results from tank testing have been satisfactory. We hope the NSTC will continue supporting further R&D and field testing." Professor You-Ren Chen, Director of the South Taiwan Science Park Incubation Center and South Taiwan University of Science and Technology, added, "All components of this prototype are locally designed and manufactured, fully mastering the key technologies. This is a major breakthrough in domestic energy technology. In the future, we hope to establish a facility in the Southern Taiwan Science Park, providing new green power sources for businesses in the park." Professor Shih-Chun Hsiao, Director of the Hydraulics Laboratory at NCKU, emphasized, "We hope this wave power generation research will serve as an opportunity to promote more cross-campus collaboration, creating a research innovation hub in Southern Taiwan and supporting the country’s marine energy development policies."
Supporting the Net-Zero Goal and Creating New Energy Directions
The NSTC is promoting forward-looking technological development and practical applications to achieve the "2050 Net-Zero Carbon Emission" goal. It funds academic research in areas such as hydrogen energy, marine energy, energy storage, grid systems, and carbon capture and reuse, with a focus on practical applications. The "WaveArm" oscillating wave power generation system, as an important result of the first phase of the project, symbolizes a new step for Taiwan in the field of renewable energy and provides strong support for the future development of marine renewable energy in Taiwan.
The "WaveArm" Wave Power Generator Developed by NCKU
Conceptual Diagram of Shore-Based Wave Power Generator Installed on a Breakwater
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