Wireless System for Tidal Effect Compensation in the Lysekil Research Site

Abstract

This paper describes, firstly, the rope adjustment device for wave energy converters (WECs) to minimize the tidal effect on the electricity production and, secondly, a wireless communication network between point absorbing WECs in the Lysekil Research Site and a computer station at the Department of Engineering Sciences at Uppsala University. The device is driven by a motor that activates when the main water level deviates from the average. The adjustment is achieved through a screw that moves upwards during low tides and downwards during high tides. For the purpose of testing the device in the research site, a wireless connection between the buoy in the sea and a computer on land will be designed. A sensor located close to the research site monitors the sea water level and, every time a significant variation is registered, it sends wirelessly a signal to the data logger that controls the power to the motor. The position of the screw is observed by a second sensor and the measurements are retrieved back to Uppsala via GSM connection. The full scale device is tested in the lab and it is demonstrated to work properly, requiring less than 750 W to lift and lower different loads. Moreover, the wireless communication network is designed and once it will be built, it will allow to recall and store data, send information from one node of the system to another, monitor the proper functioning of the device and modify the control as desired.