WaveX Leads Innovation in Scotland's WES Competition

Wave energy holds immense promise as a sustainable and reliable renewable energy source, and Scotland is at the forefront of this exciting frontier. Initiated by the Scottish Government and operated through Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Wave Energy Scotland (WES) competitions have been pivotal in driving innovation and advancing wave energy technologies since 2015.

WES competitions tackle critical technological challenges by funding innovative projects across various areas, including novel wave energy converters, power take-off systems, structural materials, and advanced control mechanisms. Through substantial financial backing—covering up to 100% of project costs—WES encourages global collaboration, drawing expertise from leading European organisations and sectors as diverse as automotive, aerospace, and offshore wind.

At WaveX, we're proud to have led one of the latest rounds in the WES programmes. Collaborating with Cheros Srl, Michelin, and AirCaptif as our partners, our team has developed an innovative, cost-effective wave energy converter design. Capitalising on Michelin's pioneering rigidification methods, our approach replaces traditional rigid materials with advanced elastomeric structures, significantly reducing costs and improving efficiency.

Through rigorous modelling and techno-economic analysis, we've demonstrated that Dielectric Elastomer Generators (DEGs) can offer impressive energy capture efficiency, operational flexibility, and substantial cost reductions. Our design not only meets ambitious power generation targets, but also enhances sustainability, ease of deployment, and reliability.

Scotland's continued investment in wave energy innovation through WES is strengthening its global leadership in marine renewables and supporting ambitious net-zero goals. At WaveX, we're thrilled to contribute to this vital journey, pioneering technologies that harness the ocean's power sustainably and affordably for future generations.