Wave energy is characterised by a low standardisation of solutions for its use. Many different methods and technologies for capturing and converting wave energy to electricity are under development. These methods include placing devices on or just below the surface of the water and anchoring devices to the ocean floor.

The main wave energy converter (WEC) models use one of the following principles:

• Floats: Floating structures that are moored to the seabed by anchors.

• Deposits: In this case, water is stored inside a structure, taking advantage of the kinetic energy of the waves to make the fluid pass through a turbine.

• Pneumatics: In this case, the waves compress and decompress a chamber in their movement, producing a flow of air powerful enough to drive a turbine.

• Articulated devices: These devices move with the waves in order to act on a hydraulic generator.

• Pontoons: In this case a raft is installed that takes advantage of the relative movement of the waves to produce energy.

In general, OWC (Oscillating Water Column) technologies are presented in fixed structures or in floating platforms. Fixed structures are often used as a breakwater or as an isolated obstacle. Oscillating devices are also installed on floating structures (with point absorbers or hinged joints) and on submerged structures (linear or rotational motion converters). Finally, potential energy converters are installed as fixed structures (for shore and breakwater) and on floating structures.

From the point of view of bathymetric conditions, the existence of all these options means that there are technical solutions for a wide range of situations in relation to the depths to which they could be anchored. The limiting condition is the floating type alternatives where there are already manufacturers who declare the feasibility of anchoring these buoys to depths of up to 500 metres.

Currently, developers interested in the installation of wave converters are faced with the problem of not having areas available for the deployment of prototypes and the perfecting of their technical solution in order to reach commercial development. At this point, port infrastructures are configured as the main alternative for testing new prototypes and, especially, those that are particularly suitable for installation in breakwaters.

Canary Islands, and especially the island of Gran Canaria, is an area of great interest for the development of wave energy, as it is bathed by the Atlantic Ocean, which is very rough and inflicts great force on its coasts with the waves and storms that occur in this ocean. The wave energy test area enables the possibility of testing different prototypes, which could either be attached to the port breakwaters, placed on the seabed or with oscillators on buoys located in the off-shore area.

RENMARINAS offers the possibility of testing different wave converter technologies under real conditions in two test areas: in RENMARINAS Arinaga and RENMARINAS Las Palmas.