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PRIMRE/Databases/Projects Database/Projects/ISWEC Demonstration at Pantelleria
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ISWEC Demonstration at Pantelleria
Launched in 2015 by Wave for Energy, a spin off of Politecnico di Torino, the project was intended to demonstrate the capabilities of the Inertial Sea Wave Energy Converter (ISWEC), serve as Italy's first 1:1 scale Wave Energy Converter (WEC) and validate design decisions to date. The device was deployed off the coast of Pantelleria some 800 meters from the shoreline.
The ISWEC generates power through the use of its internal Gyroscopes which are modular and thus capable of being replaced for different sizes to match project needs. For this deployment, the ISWEC was equipped with only one of its two potential gyroscopes, reducing its power output to a lower 100 kW in comparison to later deployments.
Initially the device was not connected to the grid. Instead power was redirected to an array of resistors capable of safely dissipating the generated power. During this time the device was left to self orientate to the waves and experienced severe weather on the edge of of the devices operating envelope. Analysis after the storm confirmed the system was undamaged and had acceptably matched simulation expectations. Afterwards the system was grid tied and allowed to operate with its intended three point mooring system.
Additional Information
Project Status
Is the project actively being planned or is deployed in the water (active)? Or was the project canceled or completed (inactive)?
Inactive
Project Life Cycle
Project Progress through life cycle:
- Planned: Project has identified a deployment location and is preparing for deployment
- Operational: Project is deployed in the water and is active
- Completed: Project was previously deployed in the water
- Decommissioned: Installation has been fully removed in accordance with regulations
- Canceled: Project was canceled before being deployed in the water
Completed
Max Rated Power Capacity
The maximum amount of electricity that can be produced by project, based on available resources and device nameplate capacity.
.1 MW
Operational Duration
August 2015 - January 2016
Project Duration
2009 - 2016
Energy Resource
- Wave
Project Scale
Full-scale
Number of Devices
1
Grid Connectivity
Grid Connected
Waterbody
Strait of Sicily, Mediterranean Sea, Pentelleria
Site Characteristics
Geographic characterization for the project location:
- Open Ocean: Main body of ocean, not enclosed or partially enclosed by land
- Coastal: Open water near the coast, spanning between land and shelf boundary
- Enclosed Bay: water that is partially surrounded by land, with a mouth open to larger water
- Constricted Channel: A channel where water flows quickly due to narrowing by the land
- River: Water flowing from land towards a larger body of water
Coastal
Country
Italy
Last Modified
10 June 2025
This Project has the following MRE Devices
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Citation Formats
“ISWEC Demonstration at Pantelleria.” Marine Energy Projects Database: Projects, PRIMRE, United States Department of Energy, https://openei.org/wiki/PRIMRE/Databases/Projects_Database/Projects/ISWEC_Demonstration_at_Pantelleria. Accessed <day> <monthRoman> <year>.
Marine Energy Projects Database: Projects. <year>. "ISWEC Demonstration at Pantelleria." Accessed <monthRoman> <day>, <year>. https://openei.org/wiki/PRIMRE/Databases/Projects_Database/Projects/ISWEC_Demonstration_at_Pantelleria.
