Abstract
In this paper, a generic coordinated control method for wave energy converters is proposed, and the constraints on motion amplitudes and the hydrodynamic interaction between converters are considered. The objective of the control problem is to maximize the energy converted from ocean waves, and this is achieved by coordinating the power take-off (PTO) damping of each wave energy converter in the frequency domain in each sea state. In a case study, a wave energy farm consisting of four converters based on the concept developed by Uppsala University is studied. In the solution, motion constraints, including constraints on the amplitudes of displacement and velocity, are included. Twelve months of sea states, based on measured wave data at the Lysekil test site on the Swedish west coast, are used in the simulation to evaluate the performance of the wave energy farm using the new method. Results from the new coordinated control method and traditional control method are compared, indicating that the coordinated control of wave energy converters is an effective way to improve the energy production of wave energy farm in harmonic waves.
Highlights
Ocean wave energy is one of most promising options among renewable energy sources, and can be captured by wave energy converters (WECs) in a variety of manners [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14]
We can see that the Q factor from coordinated control (CC) control varies in the interval of [0.85,0.95], lower than 1, which indicates that the wave interactions have a destructive effect on the energy conversion of the wave energy farm (WEF)
Considering the hydrodynamic interaction of the WECs, as well as the motion constraints, a new Considering the hydrodynamic interaction of the WECs, as well as the motion constraints, a new control strategy coordinating the power take-off (PTO) damping of each WEC is described in this paper
Summary
Ocean wave energy is one of most promising options among renewable energy sources, and can be captured by wave energy converters (WECs) in a variety of manners [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14]. More recently [28,29], a time domain model was developed to calculate the optimal PTO damping for individual WECs at each time instant This model can handle the constraints on motions and PTO force. The PTO damping for each WEC will be calculated, and the values leading to the maximum mean power will be chosen while satisfying all the constraints. The optimal PTO damping for individual WECs in a farm can be different This method is based on linear potential flow theory with full hydrodynamic interactions between buoys. A 12-month scenario is created based on wave data from the measurement of ocean waves at the Lysekil test site
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
