Field experiments on dielectric elastomer generators integrated on a U-OWC wave energy converter

• Published in: Volume 10: Ocean Renewable Energy
• Main Authors: Arena F., Daniele L., Fiamma V., Fontana M., Malara G., Moretti G., Romolo A., Papini G. P. R., Scialo A., Vertechy R.
• Other Authors: Arena, F., Daniele, L., Fiamma, V., Fontana, M., Malara, G., Moretti, G., Romolo, A., Papini, G. P. R., Scialo, A., Vertechy, R.
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) 2018
• Subjects: Arctic
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11382/534416; https://doi.org/10.1115/OMAE2018-77830

This paper describes the results of an experimental campaign conducted on a U-Oscillating Water Column (UOWC) wave energy converter equipped with Dielectric Elastomer Generator (DEG) Power Take-Off (PTO) system. The considered PTO technology has the potential for overcoming some of the limitations associated with the use of traditional self-rectifying turbines. Experiments have been performed in the benign sea test site of the Natural Ocean Engineering Laboratory (NOEL), where the DEG/U-OWC was exposed to sea states with a significant wave height in the range of 0.15 m - 0.45 m and peak spectral periods in the range of 1.8 s - 3.3 s. The aim of this work is to analyze the dynamic response of the coupled DEG-PTO and U-OWC system. The analysis of the experimental data shows that the presence of the DEG determines a slight decrease in the natural period of the water column oscillations. Through the tests, we also demonstrate that a relief valve can be successfully used to actively tune the dynamic response of the system to ensure the safety of the DEG in severe sea-states.