Assessing the potential of hybrid wind-wave energy converters: a case study in Italian seas

The transition towards a global decarbonised energy system is pushing innovation in the direction of offshore renewable technologies. Among these, hybrid wind–wave energy converters offer a promising solution by having the potential to harness complementary sources to improve system reliability and reduce the overall produced power variability. This study presents a preliminary assessment of the performance of a hybrid device at four selected sites in Italy, combining both resource characterisation and device response analysis. Site-specific evaluations, including wave–wind correlation and directionality, crucial to understanding hybrid system potential, are conducted. Using a simplified frequency-domain model, three different WEC configurations integrated into a semi-submersible floating wind platform are analysed. Key performance indicators, including annual energy production, platform and WEC motion, and the correlation between available and produced power, are investigated in detail. Results show that a `universally' optimal design does not exist per-se, underlining the need for carefully assessing trade-offs between energy capture and overall hybrid system design.