Evaluation of a sea wave energy converter with variable trim

In this paper, the working principles of an innovative sea-wave energy converter are described together with an analysis of the effectiveness of a generic site installation. The system presented is the evolution of a project born in 1994 with the aim of designing a sea wave energy device with variable trim, able to adjust its behaviour to the sea conditions. The author's main goal is a converter designed to well exploit the wave-motion of a closed sea like the Mediterranean, characterised by a distribution curve of the wave heights shifted toward low waves. Here, together with the technical description of the entire system, a design procedure for a site-oriented installation is presented; pursuing the maximum value of exploited energy, the criteria for the right design is fulfilled, pointing the attention on a nonspecific site.