Haineng Technology, a pioneer in wave energy power generation, seeks financing to commercialize laboratory technology.

Driven by both the national strategy of building a maritime power and the "dual carbon" goals, wave energy power generation is gradually moving from the laboratory to the forefront of the industry. In November last year, a company named Ocean Energy Technology was officially registered and established in Dalian. Founded jointly by four alumni of Dalian University of Technology, the company relies on the scientific research achievements of a national key laboratory and is committed to transforming wave energy power generation technology into commercially viable clean energy solutions.

An Industry-University-Research Integrated Team Speeds up the Implementation of Laboratory Technologies

The founding team of Ocean Energy Technology has a distinct background of industry-university-research integration. The core members include the chief scientist from the National Key Laboratory of Coastal and Offshore Engineering, a professor from the School of Mechanical Engineering, experts in industrial production technology, and financial professionals with capital operation experience. This interdisciplinary and cross-field combination provides support for its technology transformation and market expansion.

In terms of products, Ocean Energy Technology has made rapid progress. At the beginning of its establishment, its first 15kW multi-chamber oscillating water column wave energy power generation device had completed its design and finalization. The device adopts a multi-chamber broadband resonance energy capture and wave direction adaptive floating body design, aiming to improve energy capture efficiency and adapt to different sea conditions. In laboratory tests, the overall power generation efficiency of the device was outstanding, and its structural design can withstand winds of level 12 and waves of level 7.

Meanwhile, led by the chief scientist, the team has completed the energy capture structure design and hydrodynamic simulation tests of the 100kW power generation device, laying the foundation for the subsequent development of large-scale power generation equipment.

Clear Policies and Vast Market Present an Opportunity for the Large-Scale Development of Ocean Energy

Favorable policies have also been introduced for the ocean energy industry. In February 2025, multiple ministries jointly issued the "Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Large-Scale Utilization of Ocean Energy", aiming to achieve an ocean energy installed capacity of 400,000 kilowatts by 2030. As of the end of 2023, the cumulative installed capacity of wave energy in China was only 3,100kW, indicating significant growth potential.

Ocean Energy Technology targets two major application scenarios: Firstly, self-power supply for offshore energy-consuming equipment, including ocean buoys, underwater robots, and communication systems; Secondly, large-scale power generation for nearby power supply in scenarios such as remote islands and reefs, smart oceans, and marine pastures. The company estimates that the market size of relevant equipment will exceed 100 billion yuan, and if it expands to grid-connected power generation in the future, the market potential could reach trillions of yuan.

Launching an Angel Round of Financing to Promote Commercial Validation of Technologies

Currently, Ocean Energy Technology is launching an angel round of financing and plans to raise 8 million yuan to promote the array testing and validation of the 15kW device. This testing is a crucial step in moving the technology from the laboratory to commercialization, aiming to verify the power generation performance, reliability, and economic viability in real marine environments.

According to the plan, the company will complete the verification of the demonstration project in 2026, initiate the development of the demonstration project and high-power equipment in 2027, and achieve a breakthrough in multi-unit technology in 2028.

In terms of business model, Ocean Energy Technology mainly focuses on selling power generation equipment, targeting state-owned central enterprises in the energy sector, local coastal enterprises, and off-grid power supply users. The team has had preliminary discussions with several state-owned energy giants, showing certain market prospects. The company expects its revenue to reach 85 million yuan in 2028 and exceed 100 million yuan in 2030.

Despite the broad technological prospects, transforming laboratory equipment into industrial products suitable for complex marine environments remains the main challenge for Ocean Energy Technology. The team said that it will gradually improve the reliability and power generation stability of the equipment through continuous technological optimization and offshore tests. Driven by both policies and the market, wave energy may become an emerging force in China's energy structure transformation.