Project > ISWEC
ISWEC, acronym of Inertial Sea Wave Energy Converter, it is a device based on the technology developed by the Polytechnic of Turin and implemented by the company Wave for Energy Srl, the system produces electric energy because of the presence of one or more gyroscopic groups that, via the coupling between hull’s pitching dynamic and the flywheel rotational motion, generate gyroscopic forces converted in electric energy by a Power Take-Off (PTO). The system is completed by an electric cable that guarantees the connection between device and electric energy distribution grid.
PEWEC and ISWEC equipment are enclosed inside the hull avoiding the contact with the sea water that results in an increase of the durability of the device. Also, the device is modular so for instance the gyroscopic unit can be changed in order to vary the nominal power of the converter.
The most advanced MORE’s technology and our crown jewel.
- Competitive: its cost of energy can compete with diesel generation, typical of minor island not linked to national grids.
- Optimised: device’s design optimised to resource characteristics of the deployment site.
- Reliable: all moving parts protected from harsh sea environment inside the hull. Easiness to access for maintenance results in low OPEX.
- Adaptive: device’s dynamics is controlled upon instant sea state data a weather forecasts to maximise energy production.
- Sustainable: zero GHG emissions, negligible landscape impact.
Experimental test
- 2009
Edinburgh 1:45
- 2010
Turin 1:45
- 2011
Naples 1:45
- 2012
Naples 1:8
- 2015
Pantelleria 1:1
- 2019
Adriatic Sea 1:2
The heart of the machine is the gyroscopic system: two flywheels of 10 tons placed in rotation that generate the inertial reaction torques that arise from the interaction between their speed and the pitching motion of the hull on two internal precession shafts, on which the permanent magnet electric generators are keyed. The possibility to vary the angular velocity of the flywheel allows the device to adapt and maximize performance for different sea states, increasing the flexibility of the converter.
During the device operation the mechanical power contained in the movement of the waves is transferred to the hull, thus causing the motion of the latter and the pitching motion is the most evaluable response.
The angular velocity of the hull, combined with the angular momentum of the flywheel placed in rotation, causes a gyroscopic moment that causes the transfer of mechanical power between the hull and the inner shaft of precession, on which the electric PTO is mounted.
As mentioned previously, the flywheel speed is adjusted accordingly to the working sea conditions in order to maximize energy absorption. The angular velocity in working conditions and the regulation law of the absorption PTO is updated hourly, using the forecasts provided by ENEA: every day the sea state forecasts are transmitted and received automatically from the device for the next 3 days with hourly resolution.