A wave energy converter module was installed at the Port of Heraklion to measure generated electricity and evaluate long-term functionality of components. The project by SINN Power was launched by shattering a bottle of champagne.
The first tests were performed in November and the port authority aims to use wave energy to power its facilities. With favourable results, a permanent system may be installed by the end of the year.
The inauguration ceremony took place at the end of the breakwater wall. Invited were SINN Power’s most important supporters and partners, its press release said. On the German side, this included investors and grant givers – representatives of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy as well as the German-Greek Association (DGV) and the embassy in Athens.
The company has applied for funds from the European Union together with the port authority.
Guests on the Greek side were the current and the former port chiefs Apollon Filippis and Ioannis Bras. In his address, Filippis praised the project for fitting seamlessly into the energy strategy of the island: “Crete is so rich in natural resources. I am very happy that we can now use the infinite energy of the waves at the Port of Heraklion as well.”
For tourism and research, Cretans also expect a lot of benefits from the wave energy project. For this reason, Gian Andrea Garancini, vice mayor for tourism of Heraklion, and Nikolaos Kampanis, head of the Laboratory of Coastal Research & Applications (LCRA), assured SINN Power of support in the expansion of the wave energy projects on Crete, the statement adds.
The company has applied for funds from the European Union together with the port authority, with the aim to install additional modules. Chief executive Philipp Sinn is eager to continue: “Since last year, we have experienced so much support and enthusiasm on Crete. We cannot wait to launch additional projects with our Greek partners.”
