Following an intensive evaluation process of the designs submitted for the Direct Generation Concept Creation Competition, five innovative projects have been selected.
These projects will progress their design concepts for flexible wave energy converters (WECs) based on optimal exploitation of electrostatic power conversion technologies, primarily Dielectric Elastomer Generators (DEGs) and Dielectric Fluid Generators (DFGs). These energy harvesting technologies have the characteristic of being able to directly transform movement (stretching, twisting, bending) of a material, into electrical energy. This offers opportunities for significant cost reduction of WEC technologies.
The five successful projects progressing to the next phase are (subject to contract):
- 4c Engineering
- AWS Ocean Energy
- Southampton and UTC
- WaveX
- TTI Renewables
The projects, each expected to last 12-14 weeks, will share a budget of £250,000 to develop their design concepts, with final pitches being delivered in early 2024. Two projects may then be selected in the final phase to progress to a funded full technology development programme.
Jonathan Hodges, Innovation and Strategy Manager said:
“Identifying the five best proposals from an impressive cohort of applications is an exciting kick-start to a new generation of wave energy converters.
“WES is investing in a strategy to support the development of direct generation wave technology, through a mix of innovation funding, collaborative R&D activity, cross-sector collaboration and sector coordination, and we are excited to see how the awarded teams help propel this ambition further.”
Find more detail on each of the successful projects here.
Related Articles
Blackfish Engineering sign strategic MoU to accelerate C-Dart Mooring System
Blackfish Engineering announce the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AJT Engineering.
WES announces Round 2 Direct Generation competition selections
In the second round of the Direct Generation Concept Design Competition, we have awarded a total of £400,000 to be shared between two projects.
Apollo's quick connection system successfully tested in Orkney
Apollo, a leading engineering and energy advisory consultancy, is thrilled to report the successful trial of the PALM Quick Connection System (QCS) for floating offshore renewables.
Elva Bannon awarded 2024 Top 50 Women in Engineering Award (WE50)
Wave Energy Scotland's Research and Engineering Manager, Elva Bannon, has been selected as one of the Top 50 Women in Engineering (WE50).
Quoceant's Quick Connection System completes next step to technology certification
Lloyd’s Register awards Quoceant an IECRE Feasibility Statement for the Q-Connect system.
Blackfish Engineering win accelerator challenge with WES-funded technology
Blackfish Engineering Wins prestigious NOW Accelerator Challenge with Innovative Mooring Quick-Connector Concept
Direct generation competition round one results
Round one of Direct Generation Concept Design Competition draws to a close.
2023 UK Ocean Energy Review report published
This report provides a concise summary of the UK’s evolving national strategy.
WES investigating the potential of combined wind/wave structures
Wave Energy Scotland (WES) has begun a series of tank tests at the University of Edinburgh’s FloWave facility.
EuropeWave pre-commercial procurement programme unveils 3 finalists
Three cutting-edge wave energy projects have been selected to fabricate, deploy and demonstrate their prototype designs in the third and final phase of the EuropeWave PCP programme.
Policy & Innovation Group report reveals latest wave & tidal stream forecasts
This new study has forecasted the potential deployment of wave and tidal stream energy devices in UK waters by 2050.