Annual Assembly:
The first WECANet Annual Assembly 2019 will be organised in Thessaloniki, Greece. Hosted by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the event will include Working Groups (WGs) / Core Group (CG) meetings. For more information and specifics, please view the PDF’s below:
Invitation – 1st Annual Assembly
Travel Reimbursement Instructions
Training Course:
The first WECANet Wave Energy Training Course will be held 18-22 March 2019 in Varna, Bulgaria. There are 25 Grants available of 500€ each to support Early Stage Researchers who wish to attend the course. For more information, contact info@oceanenergy-sweden.se.
About WECANet
Is the first pan-European Network on an interdisciplinary marine wave energy approach, with networking tools and activities that are fully based on the COST Mission and Policies. It will provide platform and forum for efficient cross-border networking, exchange of information and identification of strategic research needed to deal with challenges and knowledge gaps for promoting deployment, commercialization and advancement of the wave energy sector. Through interdisciplinary approach and by deriving integrative concepts and tools for wave energy applications, WECANet aims at increasing confidence of potential investors, which will have beneficial impact on researchers and SMEs.
The formation of WECANet on an interdisciplinary marine wave energy approach will contribute to large-scale WEC Array deployment by dealing with the current bottlenecks. The WECANet Action aims at a collaborative approach, as it provides a strong networking platform that also creates the space for dialogue between all stakeholders in wave energy. WECANet’s main target is the equal research, collaboration and funding opportunities for all researchers and professionals, regardless of age, gender and location.
WG1 – Numerical hydrodynamic modelling for WECs, WEC arrays/farms and wave energy resources (accuracy, uncertainty, coupling, applicability, usability): evaluation of wave energy resources and site characterization, studying far-field effects of WEC arrays/farms, studying WECs and their near-field effects. Within WECANet, researchers use various models, and thus WG1 aims to increase the understanding of the pros and cons of each method and their ranges of applicability.
WG2 – Experimental hydrodynamic modelling and testing of WECs, WEC arrays/farms, PTO systems, and field data (accuracy, uncertainty, testing facility suitability, measurement techniques): During the past 5 years the sector has witnessed the rapid development of numerical tools used for wave energy projects, however there is at present an acute need for data that can be used for their validation and thus for the assessment of the related uncertainties. The experimental facilities typically employed to model WECs, WEC arrays or WEC components are wave basins/flumes and towing tanks for hydrodynamic testing, wave emulators to perform dry tests for PTO systems, and sea test sites.
WG3 – Technology of WECs and WEC arrays:
The activities of WECANet aim to reduce costs and risks of wave energy technologies, and to contribute to the advancement of the sector by dealing with: improvement of the performance of WECs (optimal design, control & electrical aspects); WEC survivability, structural loads, loading and moorings of WEC arrays; deployment, installation, operation, cabling, WEC interconnections and connection to the grid, maintenance; feasibility for co-located wind and wave farms; WEC system design and sub-system integration; tools addressing industry-wide questions, multi-parameter problems and efficient optimisation techniques.
WG3 aims at a better understanding of the technological aspects of wave energy, which is a key objective of WECANet.
WG4 – Impacts and economics of wave energy and how they affect decision- and policy-making:
WECANet aims to reduce uncertainties when deciding on wave energy investments, and to contribute to increasing confidence of potential investors by dealing with: probabilistic lifetime design and O&M strategies; evaluation of tools which target key decision-investment barriers; the creation of a set of industry guidelines to be used for project development; incorporating the feedback on the needs of industry; multi-parameter problems and optimisation techniques; life-cycle assessment, technology economics, legislation, policy, risk management; the introduction of systematic approaches to improve investor confidence; the way in which non-technological barriers such as regulatory frameworks, public acceptance and socio-economic and environmental impacts (e.g. on marine ecosystems, fisheries) affect the development of the wave energy sector.
WG4 aims at a better understanding of the nontechnological aspects affecting the sector.