Over the past 4 years SBM has developed a revolutionary Wave Energy Converter (WEC): the S3. Floating under the
ocean surface, the S3 amplifies pressure waves similarly to a Ruben's tube. Only made of elastomers, the system is
entirely flexible, environmentally friendly and silent. Thanks to a multimodal resonant behavior, the S3 is capable of
efficiently harvesting wave energy from a wide range of wave periods, naturally smoothing the irregularities of ocean
wave amplitudes and periods. In the S3 system, Electro Active Polymer (EAP) generators are distributed along an
elastomeric tube over several wave lengths, they convert wave induced deformations directly into electricity. The output
is high voltage multiphase Direct Current with low ripple. Unlike other conventional WECs, the S3 requires no
maintenance of moving parts. The conception and operating principle will eventually lead to a reduction of both CAPEX
and OPEX. By integrating EAP generators into a small scale S3, SBM achieved a world first: direct conversion of wave
energy in electricity with a moored flexible submerged EAP WEC in a wave tank test. Through an extensive testing
program on large scale EAP generators, SBM identified challenges in scaling up to a utility grid device. French
Government supports the consortium consisting of SBM, IFREMER and ECN in their efforts to deploy a full scale
prototype at the SEMREV test center in France at the horizon 2014-2015. SBM will be seeking strategic as well as
financial partners to unleash the true potentials of the S3 Standing Wave Tube Electro Active Polymer WEC.
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