a b s t r a c tThe objective of this paper is to provide a synthetic tool for determining expeditiously the wave climate conditions in several areas of the Mediterranean Sea. In the open literature, several authors have already conducted this specific analysis also for the area under examination in this paper. However, the need of discussing aspects strictly related to the design of wave energy harvesters is still relevant. Therefore, considering the variety of devices and the amount of information needed for conducting both an energywise optimization and a structural reliability assessment, a holistic view on the topic is provided. Specifically, the paper elucidates the theoretical aspects involved in the estimation of wave energy statistics and in the calculation of relevant return values. Next, it provides synthetic data representing the mean wave power and the return value of extreme events in several coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea. In this regard, the paper complements information available in the open literature by discussing the influence of the directional pattern of the sea states in the determination of sea state statistics as well as in the design of a wave energy harvester.

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Since the nineties, the OWC (Oscillating Water Column) plants were developed at full scale to produce electrical power from ocean waves [1]. A prototype was built into a caisson breakwater of the Sakata Port, in Japan; other plants were built in India, in Scotland at Islay, in Portugal at the Azores. A new plant was built in Mutriku (Spain) recently. A new kind of OWC caisson, named U-OWC or REWEC3, was proposed by Boccotti [2]. With respect to a traditional OWC, a U-OWC plant includes an additional vertical duct, which enables to tune the eigenperiod of the plant to the peak period of the wave pressures acting on the converter-breakwater. In this way, resonance conditions can be reached without phase control devices and the wave pressures into the air pocket are increased in amplitude, amplifying the performance of the plant. In 2012, a full scale U-OWC (REWEC3) breakwater has been designed in Italy, for the harbour of Civitavecchia (the port of Rome – Port Authority of Civitavecchia). Such a breakwater embodies 19 caissons, each including 8 cells, 34m long. The paper disseminates the key issues pertaining the design stage. Further, it describes the main phases of the construction stage. The building of the caisson started in October 2012. The first caisson has been completed at the end of 2012. It is the first device for wave energy in the Mediterranean Sea and one of the biggest in the world.

The Resonant Wave Energy Converter 3 (REWEC3) is a wave energy converter belonging to the family of Oscillating Water Columns (OWCs). It comprises an oscillating water column and an air pocket connected to a turbine, as for traditional OWCs. In addition, it has a small vertical U-shaped duct used for connecting the water column to the open wave field. Because of this particular geometrical configuration, it is also known as U-Oscillating Water Column (U-OWC). During the past decade, small scale field experiments and theoretical analyses proved its potential for full scale applications. Currently, a full-scale prototype has been operating in the Port of Civitavecchia (Rome, Italy), where a REWEC3 was constructed within the context of a major port enlargement. This paper shows some results of the monitoring activity on a single chamber equipped with pressure gauges. The results show some initial energetic performances of the REWEC3 in wind-generated seas.

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