Sea waves have a high energy potential [1], which justifies the efforts and research in this field. This abstract report the main results of the Sea-W.H.A.M. (Seaspoon Wave Harvesting by Air Microturbine) Project, whose aim was the development of a prototype of an autonomously-powered station for off-shore recharging of electric loads equipped with a WEC (wave energy converter). This project has been carried out within the Framework of the National Plan for Military Research (PNRM) by the Minister of Defense-Italian Navy and was undertaken by a Consortium composed of the University of Genoa and two companies, Techcom Srl and Advanced Microturbines Srl. The core technology of the project is the Seaspoon, a device harvesting mechanical energy from sea waves developed at Università di Genova [2]. Such energy is used to actuate a piston to compress air in a reservoir. The compressed air in turn feeds the microturbine that charges a battery. Hence the recharging station was equipped with an energy storage system that utilized compressed air and a battery. Thanks to this double pneumatic-electrochemical storage, the microturbine and a smart control algorithm, on-demand power was generated by forcing compressed air through the microturbine.The integrated system developed is composed of: * wave energy converter: a 5m diameter buoy connected to a hydraulic piston; * hydro-pneumatic skid and compressed air storage: this component converts a bidirectional oil mass flow in a compressed air stream; * microturbine and its control unit: it converts compressed air into electrical power. Moreover, a wavemaker that could generate controllable waves on demand has been developed, in order to test the system and carry out future research activities in that area called Wave Lab. Such a wavemaker with 5m wave front and up to 0.5m wave height is a unique research infrastructure in Europe, being the only wavemaker operating in real sea water [3]. First the oil compressor system was sized: it consists of a hydraulic piston anchored to the seabed on one side and to a buoy on the other. Then the oil-pneumatic converter was integrated to feed the pneumatic storage with compressed air. Finally, the microturbine was installed downstream the reservoir. The energy produced by the microturbine charged a battery.
