Objective Wave energy has a great potential as renewable source of electricity. Studies have demonstrated that significant percentage of world electricity could be produced by Wave Energy Converters (WECs). However electricity generation from waves still lacks of spreading because the combination of harsh environment and form of energy makes the technical development of cost effective WECs particularly difficult.This Project introduces a new class of Polymeric WECs (PolyWECs), characterized by the employment of Electroactive Elastomer (EE) transducers. The goal is to introduce a radical change in the traditional architecture of WECs that usually includes three basic components: mechanical wave absorbers, a mechanical transmission and a power take-off system. Due to their nature, PolyWECs can be conceived in a way that such three components are integrated into a single deformable lightweight and low-cost polymeric element. EEs have been largely investigated in the form of actuators for robotics and ICT applications. Preliminary studies on energy generation through EEs demonstrated their great potential in terms of cost effectiveness, efficiency and reduced complexity. Due to their intrinsic low mass, flexibility and resilience, as well as their capacitive nature and high voltage operation, EE technology perfectly matches the requirements of WECs.The Project investigates on new concepts and mechanisms for wave energy harvesting that are based on EEs through a multidisciplinary approach that includes competencies on WEC design/tests, fluid dynamics simulation/test, control/mechatronics and material science. The aim of the Project is to develop new knowledge and new technologies aiming at:(1) optimizing EE materials for WEC applications,(2) conceiving new electro-mechanical configurations for PolyWECs,(3) studying the fluid-EE interaction through numerical simulations,(4) performing wave-tank tests of small scale prototypes, (5) providing economic and environmental assessment. Fields of science engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectrical engineeringpower engineeringelectric power generationengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energyhydroelectricitymarine energywave powerengineering and technologymechanical engineeringmechatronicsengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringroboticsengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsenergy conversion Programme(s) FP7-ENERGY - Specific Programme "Cooperation": Energy Topic(s) ENERGY.2012.10.2.1 - Future Emerging Technologies Call for proposal FP7-ENERGY-2012-1-2STAGE See other projects for this call Funding Scheme CP - Collaborative project (generic) Coordinator SCUOLA SUPERIORE DI STUDI UNIVERSITARI E DI PERFEZIONAMENTO S ANNA Address Piazza martiri della liberta 33 56127 Pisa Italy See on map Region Centro (IT) Toscana Pisa Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Marco Fontana (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution € 771 582,30 Participants (5) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA PETRU PONI Romania EU contribution € 295 600,00 Address Aleea grigore ghica voda 41a 700487 Iasi See on map Region Macroregiunea Doi Nord-Est Iaşi Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Maria Cazacu (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window SELMAR SRL Italy EU contribution € 275 797,50 Address Via cesare arzela' 7/i 19037 Santo stefano di magra sp See on map Region Nord-Ovest Liguria La Spezia Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Administrative Contact Andrea Raggi (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH United Kingdom EU contribution € 459 476,20 Address Old college, south bridge EH8 9YL Edinburgh See on map Region Scotland Eastern Scotland Edinburgh Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Angela Noble (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window WAVEC/OFFSHORE RENEWABLES - CENTRO DE ENERGIA OFFSHORE ASSOCIACAO Portugal EU contribution € 208 700,00 Address Edificio diogo cao, doca de alcanta norte 1350-352 Lisboa See on map Region Continente Área Metropolitana de Lisboa Área Metropolitana de Lisboa Administrative Contact Carla Bacelar (Mrs.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - UNIVERSITA DI BOLOGNA Italy EU contribution € 48 000,00 Address Via zamboni 33 40126 Bologna See on map Region Nord-Est Emilia-Romagna Bologna Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Sicuranza Claudia (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window
