Testing of a PTO for wave energy exploitation to electrical energy production

The development of our society, since its origins, has always been linked to the need for energy in all its forms. Energy production from fossil fuels is one of the main contributors to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions (including CO2), which are widely recognized as causing significant environmental and climate impacts, including an increase in the average global temperature and the intensification of catastrophic natural events. Already today, global warming caused by human activity is estimated at around 1 degrees C, with a growth trend of +0.2 degrees C during the 20th century; the energy model on which the growth of the planet in recent years has been built is no longer sustainable. This calls for a global commitment to decarbonizing and improving the efficiency of all energy sectors as quickly as possible. This article evaluates the possibility of harnessing wave energy using innovative, renewable, and environmentally friendly techniques. Specifically, an onshore mechanical converter will be presented, capable of transmitting the alternating motion coming from the sea in rotary motion with the consequent production of electrical energy.