• WAVE DRAGON: Sea testing
and optimisation of power production on a scale 1:4.5 test rig
of the offshore wave energy converter (energy
WAVE
DRAGON involves long-term field-testing of an offshore wave
energy converter supplying Denmark’s national grid. The
power of the quarter-scale prototype corresponds to a 4 to 10
MW full-scale system. It is the world's first grid-connected converter
of its kind, although plans to build and deploy power production
units elsewhere in the EU are already under way. The project has
established a good website and focused much of its communications
efforts on the media, mainly through involvement in various events
– from initial launch of the prototype at sea to recent
participation in a Commission-organised press conference at the
‘Solar platform’ test site in Almeria (Spain).
Key communications lessons:
- When talking to journalists, it is essential to have a clearly
defined issue or achievement to present
- A special action is important to attract media coverage –
launch of the wave turbine into the sea was exciting; turning on
power to the Danish grid less so.
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