Challenges of using electroactive polymers in large scale wave energy converters

Andritsch, Thomas; Morshuis, P.H.F.; Smit, J.J.; Jean, Philippe; Kessel, Rick van; Wattez, Ambroise; Fourmon, A.

doi:10.1109/ceidp.2012.6378898

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…The SBM S3 contains DEG rings located along the length of the distensible tube, spaced between a traditional elastomeric material [91,94], details on the operation of the DEG is provided in Section 2.2.1. A prototype scale device was tested in Monaco, which validated the energy harvesting cycle [91,94], with more recent scaled tests performed at Ecole Centrale de Nantes (France) [95], see Figure 5(b). Using this experimental data as calibration, Babarit et al [96] developed a numerical model which estimated a annual mean power of 100-200 kW for a 100 m tube.…”

Section: Bulge Wavementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Herein we introduce the constant charge energy harvesting regime as used by two WECs in the literature [91,112]. The harvesting cycle can be explained in 4 steps which correspond to Figure 3(a) [30,94]:…”

Section: Operational Principlementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The electrodes can be corrugated to overcome the low elasticity and high sti↵ness of metals, see [181][182][183]. This corrugated approach was suggested in the SBM bulge wave WEC [91,94]. Alongside the base material, these electrodes must be able to endure tens of millions of cycles, with studies mentioned previously [146][147][148].…”

Section: Deg Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Flexible membrane structures for wave energy harvesting: A review of the developments, materials and computational modelling approaches

Collins

Hossain

Dettmer

et al. 2021

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

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Section: Bulge Wavementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Operational Principlementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Deg Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Flexible membrane structures for wave energy harvesting: A review of the developments, materials and computational modelling approaches

Collins

Hossain

Dettmer

et al. 2021

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

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“…As presented by the authors in [1], multiple segmentation techniques may be used for the film such as the diamond and T-panel patterns. The authors have successfully demonstrated that similar electrode patterning techniques can be used on EAP film with the same effects.…”

Section: Eap Materialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using Electro Active Polymers to Transform Wave Energy Conversion

Wattez

Kessel

2016

Day 3 Wed, May 04, 2016

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The first generations of wave energy converters have had a number of forms, but all are essentially large steel structures concentrating the power take off onto small mechanical devices. A number of prototype devices have been installed offshore, but due to their high fabrication and installation costs, coupled with significant maintenance requirements, the production of electricity at an acceptable cost has remained elusive.To avoid the limitations of these devices, a second generation wave energy converter is being developed using electro active polymers (EAP), which are capable of generating electricity directly from wave action without the need for any mechanical power take off. The resulting system is flexible and possesses an infinite number of degrees of freedom, allowing wave energy to be captured more efficiently than with conventional devices. Deployed offshore, such a device would have no complex mechanical parts, would function silently, and would require minimal maintenance. The economics of such a system lead to predictions of a cost of electricity significantly below the levels of the first generation devices.The paper explains the principals involved in using EAP for the generation of electricity, the application of EAP to wave energy conversion, and reports key results from the ongoing development program. The paper also describes the main features of the prototype wave energy converter system presently under development for deployment offshore. An overview of the Renewable Energy marketRenewable energies have become inevitable in the energy mix. Over the last 15 years renewables have evolved from a marginal, politically correct, alternative vision to a credible energy source and a booming economic sector.In 2013, for the first time in centuries, newly installed power generation capacity from renewables was higher than that of conventional energy, including coal, gas and oil combined. In 2015 the difference became even larger and the trend is not expected to change, as shown in Figure 1.The falling costs of energy from renewables and aggressive expansion in emerging countries are the main drivers for the fast growth of renewable energy. Wind and Solar energy in particular have already reached grid parity in many countries, meaning that they are produced, without subsidies, at a cost lower than the local electricity retail price.

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“…On the other hand, if the elastomer is pre-stretched and precharged, a reduction of the tensile force lets the elastomer revert to its original form and increases the electrical potential. This can be exploited to utilize the EAP as a charge pump to generate electric energy [5,6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

DC breakdown investigation on polyurethane elastomeric films with and without deposited electrodes

Kochetov

Ospino

Andritsch

et al. 2013

2013 IEEE International Conference on Solid Dielectrics (ICSD)

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Electroactive polymers (EAP) have recently drawn considerable attention, because of their potential use in wave energy converters, muscle-like actuators and as a material for applications in robotics and biomimetics. The widespread interest in electroactive polymers is primarily attributed to the electrostrictive effect that manifests in the stretching and compression of the soft polymer, when voltage is applied to the electrodes. The degree of deformation is proportional to the square of the applied electric field, therefore it is important to study the effect of high voltages on EAP. Our work presents a study on electrical breakdown characteristics of polyurethane (PU) -one of the most promising representatives of EAP, because of its high dielectric constant, combined with a high breakdown strength and low mechanical creep. Ramp and step-up breakdown tests were performed on PU films with and without compliant electrodes, in order to determine the breakdown strength of the samples. The investigation showed that the electrical behaviour of a PU film can be affected by the type of electrodes that are attached to the surface of the polymer. Gold sputtered electrodes have a good adhesion, but they do not stretch along with the PU film under voltage excitation. This results in cracks, reducing the performance of the electrode surface. PU samples with special compliant electrodes have lower breakdown voltages, but these electrodes can change their form along with the polymeric film. The results of plain PU films without applying compliant electrodes on the surface are presented as a reference.

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Challenges of using electroactive polymers in large scale wave energy converters

Cited by 6 publications

References 5 publications

Flexible membrane structures for wave energy harvesting: A review of the developments, materials and computational modelling approaches

Flexible membrane structures for wave energy harvesting: A review of the developments, materials and computational modelling approaches

Using Electro Active Polymers to Transform Wave Energy Conversion

DC breakdown investigation on polyurethane elastomeric films with and without deposited electrodes

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