Power from Wave Energy: The innovative REWEC3 plant in Italy harnesses the energy of the sea – almost invisible, environmentally friendly, and efficient. STS level probes ensure precise pressure measurement within the plant.
The idea of utilizing ocean wave energy is not new – but its efficient implementation remains a challenge. In Italy, a promising approach has been realized with REWEC3 technology. At the port of Civitavecchia, the first plant of its kind, based on the Oscillating Water Column (OWC) principle, has been constructed.
How REWEC3 works
In an OWC plant, wave movements generate airflow, which is converted into energy through a Power Take-Off system (PTO). The key difference: the turbine rotates at a constant speed regardless of the airflow direction, allowing continuous power generation.
The REWEC3 plant consists of a massive concrete caisson with a vertical shaft on the sea-facing side. This shaft connects to the sea via openings and to an enclosed air chamber behind. Water movement in the shaft compresses or decompresses the air in the chamber. The resulting airflow drives a bivectional turbine, which in turn powers a coaxial generator.
Advantages of the technology
- Visually almost invisible – ideal for coastal protection without affecting scenery
- Reduces wave power and protects the coast from storm damage
- Harmless to marine fauna – turbines are located above water
- High yield: a 1-km plant can deliver up to 8,000 MWh annually
Precise pressure measurement with STS sensors
To reliably monitor the pressure differences caused by incoming waves, researchers from Mediterranea University chose ATM.1ST/N level probes from STS.
Reasons for this selection include:
- Extremely fast response time < 1 ms (10…90% FS)
- Very high long-term stability, even in changing temperatures
- Modular design for easy adaptation to system environments
- Compatibility with National Instruments data loggers
Conclusion
Using REWEC3 technology, the potential of ocean waves is converted into environmentally friendly energy – without noise, emissions, or interference with marine life. Thanks to high-precision pressure measurement technology from STS, continuous monitoring and system optimization are also possible. An exemplary case of intelligent engineering in the service of sustainability.
Image source: Wavenergy.it
