The main goal of this project (SEÒLTA) is to produce a step change in the overall performance of Power Take Off (PTO) systems used for wave energy harvesting. Particularly, this project phase characterised and assessed the feasibility of a novel hybrid PTO configuration that is directly inspired by those used in the automotive sector which have achieved a significant reduction on fuel consumption (in the range of 30-50%).

This novel PTO configuration consists of a conventional electric generator mounted on a rotating shaft in parallel with an oleo-hydraulic system (i.e. variable displacement pump/motor and accumulators). Part of the incoming energy is converted directly into electricity and the exceeding capacity of the generator is stored and provided later to the shaft where the generator is mounted.