Search results for "Wave Energy"
showing 10 items of 47 documents
Experimental Test and Simulations on a Linear Generator-Based Prototype of a Wave Energy Conversion System Designed with a Reliability-Oriented Appro…
2017
In this paper, we propose a reliability-oriented design of a linear generator-based prototype of a wave energy conversion (WEC), useful for the production of hydrogen in a sheltered water area like Mediterranean Sea. The hydrogen production has been confirmed by a lot of experimental testing and simulations. The system design is aimed to enhance the robustness and reliability and is based on an analysis of the main WEC failures reported in literature. The results of this analysis led to some improvements that are applied to a WEC system prototype for hydrogen production and storage. The proposed WEC system includes the electrical linear generator, the power conversion system, and a sea-wate…
Wave Energy Assessment around the Aegadian Islands (Sicily)
2019
This paper presents the estimation of the wave energy potential around the Aegadian islands (Italy), carried out on the basis of high resolution wave hindcast. This reanalysis was developed employing Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) and WAVEWATCH III ® models for the modelling of the atmosphere and the waves, respectively. Wave climate has been determined using the above-mentioned 32-year dataset covering the years from 1979 to 2010. To improve the information about wave characteristics regarding spatial details, i.e., increasing wave model resolution, especially in the nearshore region around the islands, a SWAN (Simulating WAves Nearshore) wave propagation model was used. Results obtai…
Nexus Water & Energy: A Case Study of Wave Energy Converters (WECs) to Desalination Applications in Sicily
2016
The recent studies about interactions among energy and water are considered as a new field of research. As almost all energy generation processes require significant amounts of water, and water requires energy for treatment and transport, so these two resources are inextricably linked. The main aim of this work is a presentation of the use of renewable energy for desalination plants in Sicily: in particular exploitation of wave energy into electrical energy necessary for water treatment. Desalination is the most energy intensive water treatment technology but it could be solution for many problems in water supply for areas with chronic debt of water. In this study we find three section: in …
LINEAR GENERATOR WITH PERMANENT MAGNETS FOR SEA WAVE ENERGY PRODUCTION
2021
Estimation of the energy producibility of an offshore wave energy converter
2022
Climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to Europe and the world. Each year that passes the atmosphere warms up and the climate changes with possible catastrophic consequences for all living species. It is therefore necessary to implement a decisive change of course in terms of energy and environmental strategies at a global level, gradually abandoning the use of fossil sources in favor of renewable ones. A lot of country participates to European or global energy treaties or pacts to reduce step by step their fossil energy consumption and greenhouse gas. Among all renewable energies, the engineering department of the University of Palermo focuses the exploitati…
Renewable energy sources for energy consumption needs of Malta Island in Mediterranean sea
2016
The main purpose of this paper is to analyse the energetic condition of the Maltese islands and its electrical energy production, focusing on the employment of Renewable Energies in order to increase its energy independence. The main renewable source here proposed is wave energy: thanks to its strategic position, Malta will be able to produce electrical energy using an innovative type of Wave Energy Converter (WEC) based on the prototype of linear generator realized by University of Palermo. The use of this new technology will be able to cut down the electrical energy production from traditional power plants and, consequently, the greenhouse gases emissions (GHG). The procedures applied in …
Wave energy assessment in Sicily (Italy)
2015
Abstract This research presents an estimation of wave energy potential in Sicily (Italy) carried out using both buoy wave measurements from Rete Ondametrica Nazionale (RON), the Italian Government wave buoy network, and wave parameter data by ERA-INTERIM, a recent meteorological reanalysis project of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). Starting from these offshore data, we first identified the western part of Sicily as the area with a higher availability of offshore wave energy; subsequently, we selected a study area in the western part of the south coast and assessed the nearshore potential energy by performing propagation using a spectral model (SWAN). The near…
Near 100% Renewable Island with sea wave energy. The case study of Pantelleria in Mediterranean sea
2016
The first aim of this work is to explore the possibility of the transition of a real islanded network from one that is “fuel-based” to a “renewable-based” one. This transition is analysed for the real MV/LV distribution system of the island of Pantelleria, in the Mediterranean Sea. Particularly, this work is focused on a Renewable source nowadays totally unused: wave energy. Thanks to the innovative generator prototype designed by Department of Energy of University of Palermo (Italy), wave energy is able to represent a primary source for the production of electric energy in the Mediterranean islands. The procedures applied in the present article, as well as the main equations used, are the …
A sliding mass wave energy converter
2019
This paper presents a wave energy converter which is based on a sliding mass coupled to a linear generator. In order to maximize energy extraction, the stochastic features of the energy source has been included in the mathematical model of the system in order to satisfactorily tackle the problem. The results of several simulations are presented.
Life Cycle Assessment applied to a new system for sea wave energy harvesting
2022
A new technology for wave energy harvesting is currently under development at the University of Palermo. The target is the exploitation of sea waves in the Mediterranean Sea, and small islands. The paper suggests an innovative technology for the wave energy harvesting in onshore areas. Indeed, the machine can be installed on existing infrastructures, like breakwaters of harbours. A small-scale prototype was already tested in laboratory. In this paper, a Life Cycle Assessment is performed to evaluate the environmental impacts of this technology, considering the potential energy production as functional unit.