WAVES

WAVES was an applied industrial research project focused on developing, testing, and validating a novel wave energy converter (WEC) specifically designed for the low-energy wave climate of Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean. The project introduced an innovative patented mechanical transmission system capable of converting irregular reciprocating wave motion of varying amplitude and direction into continuous uni-rotational motion, thereby improving energy capture efficiency compared with conventional designs.

The project combined hydrodynamic modelling, mechanical design, laboratory testing, field validation, and techno-economic evaluation to optimise the converter for both offshore and onshore deployment. Key objectives included exploiting coastal wave resources for renewable electricity generation, desalination support, and sustainable water-resource management while minimizing environmental impacts.

Through multidisciplinary collaboration, WAVES established local expertise in marine renewable energy, strengthened Cyprus’s sustainable development capacity, and contributed to European renewable energy and climate goals. The project also laid the scientific and technological foundation for later prototype refinement and international scientific publication.