Direct Generation
This competition is investigating conceptual approaches to integrate and apply Direct Generation technologies as part of wave energy converter systems.
Lead contractor
4c Engineering Ltd
Sub-contractor(s)
Cheros Srl
Overview
The Round 1 projects comprised of five different teams with the project leads: 4c Engineering, AWS Ocean Energy, University of Southampton, WaveX and TTI Marine Renewables. These five project teams generated numerous innovative concepts, which were down-selected through a blend of qualitative and quantitative engineering methods. The selected designs underwent further refinement through analytical and numerical modelling approaches which informed high-level estimates on the performance and cost of energy.
Throughout this process, the teams identified the R&D requirements for progression of these technologies, with the aims of further collaboration with the appropriate R&D partners.
Stage 1
September 2024
The “EBB:FLOW” project between 4c Engineering and Cheros Srl, sponsored by Wave Energy Scotland, has led to the development of an innovative new direct generation WEC Concept. Over a structured 14-week period, the team engaged in a series of methodical work packages, beginning with concept development and progressing through selection, feasibility analysis, and final reporting. The project brought together the wave energy and structured innovation experience of 4c Engineering and the world-leading direct generation expertise of Cheros Srl.
The team focussed on exploiting the properties of dielectric fluid generation (DFG) cells within a promising novel WEC design. Throughout the project, the team navigated a range of technical and collaborative challenges, including parallel development of the individual DFG modules and the full WEC architecture. To address these challenges, the concept selection phase was extended beyond the original duration. With the additional work, a breakthrough was made, resulting in the development of the final concept. This change from the original plan showing the importance of flexibility and adaptability in project management, particularly on an international academic-industry partnership.
To fully understand the commercial potential of this concept will require a continuation of the development of the concept, both at the DFG cell level and the full WEC, with a focus on detailed refinement, material testing, and scalability assessments. The short to medium term goal is to progress from theoretical models to practical, testable prototypes, laying the groundwork for advancement to the ultimate goal of a commercially viable novel wave energy conversion technology.
Stage 2
Round 2 will continue to build upon this concept design activity and begin to deliver the enabling R&D activities in response to the challenges identified in Round 1.
The projects will apply the expertise of their teams to the challenges of elastomer fatigue, flexible electrodes, cell-based generator design and material selection. Over the 9-month duration, the team will build collaborations and seek wider funding, supporting WES to grow a cross-sector community on Direct Generation technologies. These projects align with other WES activities in this area such as the Supergen ORE Impact Hub Flexfund programme.
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