Abstract
The aim of this work is to show that a significant increase of the efficiency of a Wave Energy Converter (WEC) can be achieved already at an early design stage, through the choice of a turbine and control regulation, by means of an accurate Wave-to-Wire (W2W) modeling that couples the hydrodynamic response calibrated in a wave flume to a Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) test bench with sizes and rates not matching those of the system under development. Information on this procedure is relevant to save time, because the acquisition, the installation, and the setup of a test rig are not quick and easy. Moreover, power electronics and electric machines to emulate turbines and electric generators matching the real systems are not low-cost equipment. The use of HIL is important in the development of WECs also because it allows the carrying out of tests in a controlled environment, and this is again time- and money-saving if compared to tests done on a real system installed at the sea. Furthermore, W2W modeling can be applied to several Power Take-Off (PTO) configurations to experiment different control strategies. The method here proposed, concerning a specific HIL for testing power electronics and control laws for a specific WECs, may have a more general validity.
Highlights
The development of Wave Energy Converter (WEC) has been a popular research topic since the 1970s, technologies for ocean wave energy harvesting are not yet technically mature enough to contribute to clean electricity production along with other established renewable sources
Procedure test rig for the electric Power Take-Off (PTO) tests can be used for WECs with different power rates
Model to be scaled being generator used for the PTO tests andwith simulations
Summary
The development of WECs has been a popular research topic since the 1970s, technologies for ocean wave energy harvesting are not yet technically mature enough to contribute to clean electricity production along with other established renewable sources. & Development (R&D) projects have never reached production stage or commercial status. It is essential to adopt a scaled approach to WECs’ development ensuring that components are tested onshore before experimenting the system in the sea [1,2]. The Implementing Agreement for a Co-operative Programme on Ocean Energy Systems (OES IA) has released reports on guidelines for the development of WECs aiming to avoid duplication of effort, ensure effective engagement, and allow the comparison of different systems [3,4,5,6,7].
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