• Research,
  • M.R.E.,
  • Energy transition,

SEAREV

Système Electrique Autonome de Récupération de l'Energie des Vagues (electrical autonomous system for wave energy recovery)

Published on September 26, 2017 – Updated on February 28, 2024
Based on 25 years of experience and earlier research, the Fluid Mechanics Laboratory (now LHEEA) of Centrale Nantes launched the project in 2003.
The objective was to launch a 500 kW prototype in the Pays de la Loire region whose Atlantic coast is suitable for this type of system.

This project brought together three CNRS* Research Units:
 
  • LMF (UMR 6598, project bearer)
  • IRCCyN (UMR 6597) now part of the LS2N Laboratory
  • SATIE of the Ecole Normale Supérieure de Cachan (UMR 8029)
For its first phase (2003-2006), the project was supported by the Ministry of Research and New Technologies, by the CNRS and by ADEME* and the Pays de la Loire Region.

The project was led by Alain Clément, Research Engineer at the LMF.
Between June 2006 and 2008, the model was tested in the LMF wave tank on the Centrale Nantes campus. Full-size prototype tests were carried out 2009-2010. Then the search was on to determine the testing site on the high seas. Two sectors were in contention in the Pays de la Loire Region: Le Croisic and Ile d'Yeu.

Le Croisic was finally selected to host SEM-REV, an experimental site which now has all the equipment on- and offshore allowing for the development, under operational conditions, of wave energy recovery systems.

* CNRS – the National Centre for Scientific Research
* ADEME - The French Environment and Energy Management Agency
Published on September 26, 2017 Updated on February 28, 2024