Wave Energy Scotland's Direct Generation Concept Design Competition Brokerage

Wave Energy Scotland (WES) invites interested organisations to enter the Direct Generation Concept Design Competition.

Electrostatic power conversion technologies, such as Dielectric Elastomer Generators (DEGs) and Dielectric Fluid Generators (DFGs), have the potential to enable a completely new class of wave energy converters (WECs). The simplified architecture of these WECs would be flexible, have the generation distributed throughout and deliver Direct Generation from ocean wave to electrical output, in one functional metamaterial.

Development of scalable, reliable, and high-performance electrostatic power conversion technologies for application to wave energy will require cross-sector collaboration, technology transfer and clear understanding of R&D requirements. WES is creating the vision, strategy and direction to support enabling R&D in this area, starting with the WES Direct Generation Concept Design Competition.

Direct Generation Concept Design Competition projects will:

• Design concepts for flexible wave energy converters based on optimal exploitation of electrostatic power conversion technologies, primarily Dielectric Elastomer Generators (DEGs) and Dielectric Fluid Generators (DFGs)

• Guide future enabling R&D in materials, metamaterials and direct generation module development by defining research requirements and targets

• Evaluate the benefits of a new class of wave energy converter, relative to the current state-of-the-art

• Build teams to progress flexible wave energy, drive technology transfer and participate in future collaborative R&D programmes

• Monday 24th July 2023 Competition opens

• Eligible teams will be led by UK registered organisations but can include partners from the EU, EFTA and USA. Find partners by using our free brokerage tool. A physical Brokerage Event was held in in Edinburgh on Wednesday 26th July 2023 – please see the recording of the introductory presentation and a Q&A here. Last updated 17/08/23.

• Pre-proposal submissions to be sent to info@waveenergyscotland.co.uk by Friday 18th August 2023 12.00 (BST/UK/London time) with subject line Direct Generation Design Concept Competition.

• WES will then invite up to 15 teams to go forward to full proposal submission. The full submission process will be open from 28th August to the 22nd September 2023. Full call guidance document, response forms and example agreement will be released on the WES website in advance of the brokerage event.

• WES will select up to 5 projects each to a value of £50k to be administered as a grant at up to 100% of eligible costs.

• Expected Project duration 12-14 weeks, starting at the end of October 2023

• Check out our direct generation video which gives more details on the benefits of the technology as well as some examples.

• Search and filter the participant list to find potential partners.

• Send meeting requests to participants who are of interest for your competition team.

• Hold pre-scheduled meetings directly in the tool, and in person on Wednesday 26th July 2023