A state research institute in Guangzhou is working on integrated offshore power plants based on the combined exploitation of waves, wind and sun to make communities of up to 1,000 people self-sufficient. The objective: to reinforce the presence on artificial islands created by the People’s Republic of China in the maritime area disputed with other Southeast Asian countries to assert their claims.
Beijing () – In the increasingly open confrontation over the disputed areas of the South China Sea, China is preparing to mobilize one of its best weapons at this time: the primacy it has acquired in production systems of renewable energies. In fact, it is working on large-scale plants capable of supplying energy to settlements or military garrisons even on the high seas. Useful, yes, within the perimeter of the call Nine Sections Linethe “border” drawn unilaterally by Beijing and contested by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei, which claim the violation of their sovereignty over very important areas both from the point of view of economic exploitation and for strategic issues.
The South China Morning Post reports today that the Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion (GIEC) – an organization under the Chinese Academy of Sciences – is studying the feasibility of integrated systems of energy sources based on waves, wind turbines and panels solar energy to meet the daily needs of users and support development in disputed waters. “This initiative,” explains Wang Zhenpeng, associate professor and GEIC team member, “builds on previous efforts in the field of wave power generation devices, which are important to address energy shortages during the process.” of remote island development.
The team does not specify which outposts in the South China Sea the project is targeting, but it is well known that in the last decade China has turned small atolls into true artificial islands, especially in the Spratly and Paracel archipelagos. But essential services such as electricity, communications and fresh water are in short supply in many of these outposts, where diesel generators pose a logistical and environmental challenge. To give an example: to keep its outposts in this sea manned, the Philippines is forced to organize naval replenishment missions that often become occasions of tension with the Chinese coast guard.
Even solar and wind energy alone are not a complete solution, because they cannot produce energy in all situations. On the other hand, wave energy can be obtained throughout the year, without being affected by day, night or cloud cover: it is a constant and stable source.
One of the systems developed by the GIEC is the Nankun power generator, installed in June last year in the southern city of Zhuhai, Guandong province, which the institute estimates could supply the needs of a community of 1,000 people. . Such magnitude that it is even hypothetically possible to have real cities on the new artificial islands.
“Chinese wave energy harvesting technology has reached an international leadership level,” said Chen Yong, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. IPEC researchers have also already used wave energy to power aquaculture projects with the Penghu platform, which can be submerged during typhoons to prevent damage. According to Wang, the institute has already received orders for 20 such platforms from five provinces. The plan now is to refine the integration of offshore platforms, including wind and solar power and energy storage, to improve the energy supply of the South China Sea islands.
“RED LANTERNS” IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO CHINA
WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE IT EVERY THURSDAY IN YOUR EMAIL? SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER IN THIS LINK
Add Comment