Description
Wanxiang-I was the first floating moored tidal current turbine in China. The device consists of two vertical axis rotors, driven systems, control mechanism and floating platform. Each 2.2 m diameter rotor consists of four vertical blades with variable pitch. Thin spokes in tension connect the blades to the hub for the purpose of transferring torque. A shaft connects the hub to the gearbox coupled to the generator forming the driven systems. The rotors, driven systems and control mechanisms are supported by a floating platform, which is kept floating by a pair of hulls. The floating platform then moored to the seabed through a mooring system, which includes four gravity anchors and light chains.
Location
Guishan Channel, China. Near Daishan in the Zhejiang province.
Project Progress
In January 2002 Wanxiang-I was installed 100 meters from the coast, and it has since been providing power to a small area. This deployment has shown the Wanxiang-I infrastructure to be successful and easily installed and maintained.