Preliminary design of a point absorber with linear generator designed for energy production off the Italian coasts

The feasibility of energy extraction from sea waves has been investigated, with special attention to potential applications in the Italian coastal area. The performance of heaving point absorbers in regular wave conditions that are representative for the considered areas, Mazara Del Vallo and Alghero, respectively offshore the western coasts of Sicily and Sardinia (Italy), is calculated. Through the linear wave theory the hydrodynamic behaviour of the floater is identified, while a non linear model of the PTO is used to calculated the extracted energy and its action on the floater. Two different geometries, hemisphere-cylindrical and cone-cylindrical shapes and 18 different configurations of them are investigated. The results show that a possible future installation on the Italian seas is a real possibility, indicating the need to perform more research on the devices optimization.