Overview

Established in 1989, our laboratory is the first ocean engineering facility to conduct research directly in the field rather than relying on traditional wave tanks with wavemakers. This innovative approach builds on the pioneering small-scale field experiments carried out by Prof. Paolo Boccotti off the coast of Reggio Calabria, Italy.

The Natural Ocean Engineering Laboratory at the Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria developed recognized expertise in ocean and marine engineering, with research activities primarily focused on wave dynamics, numerical and experimental wave modeling, and the development of renewable energy technologies.

Mission

Our mission is to advance the understanding of wave phenomena through field-based research, developing innovative methodologies and technologies in marine and civil engineering

The Lab

The NOEL Laboratory is uniquely situated along the coastline and includes its own beach and an adjoining experimental water area located within 50 meters of the shoreline. This setting enables direct access to natural marine conditions for conducting controlled small-scale field experiments.

The laboratory infrastructure comprises several specialized spaces: a modern conference room for meetings and workshops, an electronics station equipped with data acquisition systems and a computer network for real-time monitoring, dedicated offices for researchers, and a fully equipped small workshop for the maintenance and calibration of instruments.

Experimental activities are carried out in the nearshore water area, where prototype models and sensing instruments are deployed to study wave dynamics, hydrodynamic forces, and energy conversion processes. The instruments are connected via underwater and land-based cables to the electronic station, allowing continuous data transmission and visualization. During symposia and training events, visitors can follow the experiments in real time through live monitoring systems, enhancing the educational and demonstrative value of the research.

The NOEL research group in Ocean Engineering and Marine Energy consists of Full Professors, Associate Professors, and Assistant Professors specialized in Ocean Engineering, supported by Postdoctoral Fellows, Ph.D. candidates, and undergraduate students. The group conducts both experimental and numerical research in the fields of marine hydrodynamics, coastal engineering, and renewable ocean energy.

In addition to fundamental research, the group is actively involved in the design and analysis of coastal protection structures—such as caisson breakwaters—and in the development of innovative systems that integrate wave energy conversion technologies into coastal defenses. A notable achievement is the REWEC (Resonant Wave Energy Converter) device, a patented technology that allows coastal structures to produce clean energy from sea waves while preserving their protective function.


Expertise


The NOEL team gained a renown expertise in the fields of:

  • water wave mechanics
  • short-term wave statistics
  • long-term wave statistics
  • coastal processes
  • wave energy converters
  • offshore structures
  • reliability of marine structures.

In recent decades, the group has carried out small-scale experiments in a natural basin, where real sea waves are used instead of those created in artificial tanks. This hands-on experience helped the researchers to develop unique skills for conducting experiments directly in natural marine environments.

Peculiarity

The Natural Ocean Engineering Laboratory (NOEL) of the Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, Italy, is the first ocean engineering laboratory to operate directly in a natural marine environment.
A distinctive feature of the lab is its location, where a local north-northwesterly wind frequently generates sea states made up of pure wind waves. These waves naturally reproduce, on a smaller scale and in Froude similarity, the conditions of full-scale ocean storms.

At the site, the significant wave height typically ranges from 0.20 to 0.80 meters, with peak periods between 2.0 and 3.6 seconds. The local wind is remarkably steady and can persist throughout the day, while tidal variations are minimal—usually within 0.10 meters.
The laboratory’s physical facilities were established following the success of early small-scale field experiments initiated and directed by Professor Paolo Boccotti beginning in 1989.

Contact NOEL

High-Efficiency Underwater Operations

The crystal-clear water of the Strait of Messina allows our divers to carry out inspections and interventions quickly, ensuring high visibility and maximum efficiency even in challenging underwater conditions.

Discover Our Publications

Full-Scale and Scaled Model Testing at Sea with Advanced Instrumentation

The laboratory makes it possible to conduct experiments at sea on small, medium, and large-scale models using the typical measurement techniques employed in artificial basins.

See Our Projects

Our History

A Pioneering Sea Experiment

Professor Paolo Boccotti conceived and directed the first experiment aimed to verify the possibility to work in the sea as in a big wave tank.

1989

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Quasi-Determinism Theory

A small scale field experiment was carried out off the beach of Reggio Calabria to verify the Quasi-Determinism theory proposed by Boccotti, that describes the mechanics of three-dimensional wave groups. The results showed that the sea off the Reggio Calabria promenade is a natural lab for “small scale field experiments” (Phillips et al. 1993)

1990

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Further Experiments

Professor Paolo Boccotti conducted others experiments on the reflection of sea waves and on offshore structures.

1991-1994

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A new Lab

After the international success of the experiments , the Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria decided to build a laboratory in the promenade of the Reggio Calabria city.

1996

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Inauguration and REWEC3

The laboratory was inaugurated in April 2005 with a new important experiment involving the sea testing of a new device for generating electricity from sea waves: the U-OWC, or REWEC3, Resonant Wave Energy Converter. The results of the experiment were published in Ocean Engineering in 2007.

2005

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OKEANOS management

The laboratory was managed by a consortium called OKEANOS, this consortium included: the Mediterranean University at Reggio Calabria, the Chamber of Commerce, the Association for Industrial Development, and the Provence of Reggio Calabria, the Municipality of Reggio Calabria.

2005-2009

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Estabishing NOEL Lab

With the transfer of management to the Università Mediterranea of Reggio Calabria, the Natural Ocean Engineering Laboratory (NOEL) was established, led by full professors of Maritime Structures Felice Arena and Paolo Boccotti. This transition marked a new phase for the laboratory, characterized by international collaborations, over fifteen sea experiments conducted in the first six years, and a number of international seminars, workshops, and courses for engineering students and doctoral researchers.

2009

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