Standing wave tube electro active polymer wave energy converter

Philippe Jean; Ambroise Wattez; Guillaume Ardoise; C. Melis; R. Van Kessel; A. Fourmon; E. Barrabino; J. Heemskerk; J. P. Queau

doi:10.1117/12.934222

5 April 2012 Standing wave tube electro active polymer wave energy converter

Philippe Jean, Ambroise Wattez, Guillaume Ardoise, C. Melis, R. Van Kessel, A. Fourmon, E. Barrabino, J. Heemskerk, J. P. Queau

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8340, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2012; 83400C (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.934222
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2012, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Over the past 4 years SBM has developed a revolutionary Wave Energy Converter (WEC): the S3. Floating under the ocean surface, the S3 amplifies pressure waves similarly to a Ruben's tube. Only made of elastomers, the system is entirely flexible, environmentally friendly and silent. Thanks to a multimodal resonant behavior, the S3 is capable of efficiently harvesting wave energy from a wide range of wave periods, naturally smoothing the irregularities of ocean wave amplitudes and periods. In the S3 system, Electro Active Polymer (EAP) generators are distributed along an elastomeric tube over several wave lengths, they convert wave induced deformations directly into electricity. The output is high voltage multiphase Direct Current with low ripple. Unlike other conventional WECs, the S3 requires no maintenance of moving parts. The conception and operating principle will eventually lead to a reduction of both CAPEX and OPEX. By integrating EAP generators into a small scale S3, SBM achieved a world first: direct conversion of wave energy in electricity with a moored flexible submerged EAP WEC in a wave tank test. Through an extensive testing program on large scale EAP generators, SBM identified challenges in scaling up to a utility grid device. French Government supports the consortium consisting of SBM, IFREMER and ECN in their efforts to deploy a full scale prototype at the SEMREV test center in France at the horizon 2014-2015. SBM will be seeking strategic as well as financial partners to unleash the true potentials of the S3 Standing Wave Tube Electro Active Polymer WEC.

Citation Download Citation

Philippe Jean, Ambroise Wattez, Guillaume Ardoise, C. Melis, R. Van Kessel, A. Fourmon, E. Barrabino, J. Heemskerk, and J. P. Queau "Standing wave tube electro active polymer wave energy converter", Proc. SPIE 8340, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2012, 83400C (5 April 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.934222

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available