Search results for "wave energy"

An inertial system for the production of electricity and hydrogen from sea wave energy

2015

This paper aims at describing a small scale prototype of a complete wave energy converter system for hydrogen production promoting the opportunity of installation in Sicily, in the Mediterranean Sea. The opportunity to produce hydrogen from sea-water identifies ocean wave energy as the most promising solution for electricity generation including hydrogen production and storage. Even if hydrogen is considered one of the most promising secondary sources, criticism arises from both the academic and the industrial world mainly because hydrogen production requires electricity consumption. Furthermore, safety problems concerning hydrogen storage and transport are actually the main hindrance to fu…

Design of a transverse flux machine for power generation from seawaves

2013

Linear electrical generator has been recently studied for the exploitation of sea wave energy, however the definition of the optimum geometry to be used is still debated and due to the fact that seawave energy is characterized by low speed and very high forces, a generator which is able to convert energy at low speed and high force is needed. In this paper we investigate the possibility to use a transverse flux linear generator (TFG) because transverse flux technology presents the highest force density per volume index among the iron based electrical machines. The advantages of TFG topology against the classical longitudinal concept are [1]: (a) the magnetomotive force per pole is independe…

Desalination by sea wave in small islands: The case of study of Lampedusa (Italy)

2018

The paper analyses the theme of water energy nexus, investigating a specific industrial process: desalination. In particular, the paper reports a case of study, applied in the small island of Lampedusa, located at south of Sicily (Italy). As the many small islands in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, Lampedusa presents a small electrical grid, not connected to the mainland. The electrical production is entrusted to old diesel engines, consuming fossil fuel, transported by boat from Sicily. Besides, the renewable energy sources are extremely underdeveloped in this territory, since the environmental constraints make complex the use of technologies, like wind turbines or photovoltaic panels…

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of Wave Energy Converter (WEC)

2015

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an environmental management instrument implemented worldwide. In the last years the development of Wave Energy Converter (WEC) influenced environmental research to quantify impacts on marine life. In this paper we present a case study of EIA: a real application and study of device installed in Tirren Sea (near Castellammare — Sicily).

Testing a linear ironless generator for the sea wave energy harvesting

2022

Wave energy represents a "new entry"in the renewable energy sector; however, it is believed that in near future sea wave might have a key role for the electrical energy production, thanks its huge energy potential. In this context, the paper suggests an innovative ironless linear generator, that can be used as main component inside a point absorber. In order to exploit the wave energy potential in the Mediterranean Sea, the Engineering Department of Palermo University realized a first small-scale prototype of the electrical linear generator, that is the main component for the energy conversion.

Efficiency of Wave Energy Converters off the Sicilian Channel

2019

This paper presents a preliminary analysis on efficiency of wave energy converters off the Sicilian Channel (Italy) carried out using the SNL-SWAN spectral model (”Sandia National Laboratories – Simulating WAves Nearshore”). This open source numerical code makes possible to calculate the power extracted from wave energy converter (WEC) devices, arranged in arrays. The WEC arrays were located parallel to the coastline, near the 20 m bathymetric isoline. Three devices were tested: Pelamis, Wave Dragon and Oyster 2; one of the input data of the numerical model is the WEC power matrix, expressed as a function of the wave height and period. This matrix was determined experimentally by the protot…

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…

Optimized design of a sea wave energy conversion system

2008

ASSESSMENT OF THE WAVE ENERGY CONVERSION EFFICIENCY IN THE AEGADIAN ISLANDS

2016

The wave energy conversion efficiency surrounding an island group of Mediterranean Sea is estimated, a wave reanalysis dataset is used to characterize the offshore wave climate around Aegadian Islands and several numerical simulation of wave propagation are carried out. It is possible to convert the wave energy into electric energy and, at the same time, protecting the coastal areas from erosion

Greening island: Renewable energies mix to satisfy electrical needs of Pantelleria in Mediterranean sea

2016

In this article the authors analyze the renewable mix in order to satisfy the energy needs of a real island in the Mediterranean sea, Pantelleria, which represents an optimal starting point to increase the production of electrical energy from renewable sources in minor islands. In this text are exposed different alternative sources, such as solar, wind and wave energy. Moreover, it is exposed a project of an innovative conversion device proposed by Department of Energy of University of Palermo, compared to a different one proposed by Politecnico di Torino. The procedures applied in the present article, as well as the main equations used, are the result of previous applications made in diffe…