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Modelling and field testing of a breakwater-integrated U-OWC wave energy converter with dielectric elastomer generator

Author

Listed:
  • Moretti, Giacomo
  • Malara, Giovanni
  • Scialò, Andrea
  • Daniele, Luca
  • Romolo, Alessandra
  • Vertechy, Rocco
  • Fontana, Marco
  • Arena, Felice

Abstract

This paper introduces a theoretical and experimental study of a wave energy converter (WEC) that combines the two innovative concepts of U-oscillating water column (U-OWC) and dielectric elastomer generator (DEG) power take-off (PTO). The U-OWC is a type of oscillating water column that features a U-shaped duct that is introduced to tune its dynamics to a certain wave period without active means of phase-control. The DEG is a compliant polymeric generator that makes it possible to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy by exploiting the large deformations of elastomeric membranes.

Suggested Citation

  • Moretti, Giacomo & Malara, Giovanni & Scialò, Andrea & Daniele, Luca & Romolo, Alessandra & Vertechy, Rocco & Fontana, Marco & Arena, Felice, 2020. "Modelling and field testing of a breakwater-integrated U-OWC wave energy converter with dielectric elastomer generator," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 628-642.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:146:y:2020:i:c:p:628-642
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2019.06.077
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    4. Moretti, Giacomo & Santos Herran, Miguel & Forehand, David & Alves, Marco & Jeffrey, Henry & Vertechy, Rocco & Fontana, Marco, 2020. "Advances in the development of dielectric elastomer generators for wave energy conversion," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    5. Collins, Ieuan & Hossain, Mokarram & Dettmer, Wulf & Masters, Ian, 2021. "Flexible membrane structures for wave energy harvesting: A review of the developments, materials and computational modelling approaches," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    6. Kui Di & Kunwei Bao & Haojie Chen & Xinjun Xie & Jianbo Tan & Yixing Shao & Yongxiang Li & Wenjun Xia & Zisheng Xu & Shiju E, 2021. "Dielectric Elastomer Generator for Electromechanical Energy Conversion: A Mini Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-17, September.
    7. Abad, Farhad & Lotfian, Saeid & Dai, Saishuai & Zhao, Guangwei & Alarcon, Guillermo Idarraga & Yang, Liu & Huang, Yang & Xiao, Qing & Brennan, Feargal, 2024. "Experimental and computational analysis of elastomer membranes used in oscillating water column WECs," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).
    8. Scialò, A. & Henriques, J.C.C. & Malara, G. & Falcão, A.F.O. & Gato, L.M.C. & Arena, F., 2021. "Power take-off selection for a fixed U-OWC wave power plant in the Mediterranean Sea: The case of Roccella Jonica," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(PA).
    9. Fabio Caldarola & Manuela Carini & Alessandro Costarella & Gioia De Raffele & Mario Maiolo, 2025. "Physical–Mathematical Modeling and Simulations for a Feasible Oscillating Water Column Plant," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-27, July.
    10. Evangelia Dialyna & Theocharis Tsoutsos, 2021. "Wave Energy in the Mediterranean Sea: Resource Assessment, Deployed WECs and Prospects," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-18, August.
    11. Wang, Yuhan & Wang, Dongxu & Dong, Sheng, 2022. "A theoretical model for an integrated wave energy extraction system consisting of a heaving buoy and a perforated wall," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 1086-1101.
    12. Cheng, Yong & Du, Weiming & Dai, Saishuai & Ji, Chunyan & Collu, Maurizio & Cocard, Margot & Cui, Lin & Yuan, Zhiming & Incecik, Atilla, 2022. "Hydrodynamic characteristics of a hybrid oscillating water column-oscillating buoy wave energy converter integrated into a π-type floating breakwater," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    13. Yi Zhang & Dapeng Zhang & Haoyu Jiang, 2023. "A Review of Offshore Wind and Wave Installations in Some Areas with an Eye towards Generating Economic Benefits and Offering Commercial Inspiration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-32, May.
    14. Zhou, Yu & Ning, Dezhi & Liang, Dongfang & Cai, Shuqun, 2021. "Nonlinear hydrodynamic analysis of an offshore oscillating water column wave energy converter," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    15. Zhao, Xuanlie & Zhang, Yang & Li, Mingwei & Johanning, Lars, 2020. "Hydrodynamic performance of a Comb-Type Breakwater-WEC system: An analytical study," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 33-49.
    16. Zheng, Siming & Zheng, Haojie & Michele, Simone & Zhu, Guixun & Lee, Yeaw Chu & Greaves, Deborah, 2025. "Wave power extraction from a U-shaped oscillating water column consisting of a flexible bottom-standing front wall," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C).

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