DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF ELECTRO HYDRAULIC WAVE ENERGY SIMULATOR

Abstract

The present work focuses on developing an experimental system that can generate mechanical simulation movement to the real waves. This developed system will facilitate the researchers within the lab testing unit for evaluating any developed point absorber WEC. Mathematical modeling, construction, and testing of Electro-Hydraulic Wave Simulator that emulates different waveforms are presented. This system provides a realistic way of testing replacing the more expensive methods used to test WECs such as large indoor water tanks or real sea. A low-speed oscillation motion with higher torque is successfully produced by the developed system that is coupled to an electrical generator with a grid frequency. Finally, the model is being validated with experimental data to evaluate model accuracy, where a maximum error of ±0.2% is achieved. A response time of 0.004 s was achieved by the valve model which matched with the manufacturer datasheet. The simulated cylinder position gives a good agreement with the measured position for a step input of 50 cm with a position error of less than 10 mm.