Optimal Constrained Control of Wave Energy Converter Arrays

Abstract

This paper presents the development of the optimal constrained control for arrays of wave energy converters (WECs). Most current WEC optimal control methods require reactive power; that is, a power flow from the WEC to the ocean, at times, in order to increase the overall harvested energy over a period of time. The power take off (PTO) unit that has the capability of providing reactive power is usually expensive and complex. In this work, an optimal control is derived analytically in which the objective is to maximize the harvested energy from an array of WEC devices with periodic excitation, while constraining the power flow direction to eliminate the need for reactive power. Low fidelity numerical simulations are presented comparing the proposed control to the known Optimal Reactive Loading (ORL) control.