A Wave Energy Converter (WEC) is a device designed to harness the ocean wave energy in order to further use it, for example to generate electricity. The proposed device consists in a plurality of floating or submerged interconnected air chambers which pump air into a central turbine. It uses the Oscillating Water Column (OWC) as operating principle and converts the oscillating airflow into a unidirectional airflow with the use of check valves. Its design achieves safety for the marine life, easy handling, economic competitiveness, and rapid tune-up. Theoretical and lab tests were made to proof the working principle. Preliminary numerical work of the proposed device has been carried out as well as trials of a scaled prototype at the ocean. A few problems rose during the ocean tests which prevented the fully operation of the device and record of data. Thought, it was possible to observe valuable lessons learned for the next round, and already generate some electricity.
