Inertial Sea Wave Energy Converter (ISWEC): scale model and wave tank test

The design process of a device for energy harvesting from sea waves is a complex task, which involves many different stages ranging from the initial mathematical models to an extensive field testing. Scale models are a crucial tool to asses the real world device performance and to validate the mathematical models used in the design process. This paper describes the first laboratory campaign of the scale model of an Inertial Sea Wave Energy Converter (ISWEC). The experiments were carried out in the wave tank of INSEAN (The Italian ship model basin, Rome) between February and April 2012. ISWEC uses a gyroscope to create an internal inertial reaction able to harvest wave power without exposing mechanical parts to the harsh oceanic environment. As for other WECs, the theoretically optimal control of ISWEC should be able to adjust the dynamic parameters of the PTO, such as the spring constant and energy absorbing damping, to maximize the energy absorption. The aim of this manuscript is to explore the effect of PTO control parameters on energy production for a given incoming wave