The Wave Energy Converter Control Competition: Overview: Preprint

The Wave Energy Converter Control Competition: Overview: Preprint PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Over the past two years, a wave energy converter control systems competition (WECCCOMP) has been in progress, with the objective of comparing different wave energy converter (WEC) control paradigms on a standard benchmark problem. The target system is a point absorber, corresponding to a single float with absolute reference of the WaveStar WEC prototype. The system was modelled in WEC-Sim, with the hydrodynamic parameters validated against tank test data. Competitors were asked to design and implement a WEC control system for this model, with performance evaluated across six sea states. The evaluation criteria included a weighted combination of average converted power, peak/average power, and the degree to which the system physical constraints were exploited or temporarily exceeded. This paper provides an overview of the competition, which includes a comparative evaluation of the entries and their performance on the simulation model. It is intended that this paper will act as an anchor presentation in a special session on WECCCOMP at OMAE 2019, with other papers in the special session. Address all correspondence to this author. contributed by the competitors, describing in detail the control algorithms and the results achieved over the various sea states.

The Wave Energy Converter Control Competition: Overview: Preprint

The Wave Energy Converter Control Competition: Overview: Preprint PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Over the past two years, a wave energy converter control systems competition (WECCCOMP) has been in progress, with the objective of comparing different wave energy converter (WEC) control paradigms on a standard benchmark problem. The target system is a point absorber, corresponding to a single float with absolute reference of the WaveStar WEC prototype. The system was modelled in WEC-Sim, with the hydrodynamic parameters validated against tank test data. Competitors were asked to design and implement a WEC control system for this model, with performance evaluated across six sea states. The evaluation criteria included a weighted combination of average converted power, peak/average power, and the degree to which the system physical constraints were exploited or temporarily exceeded. This paper provides an overview of the competition, which includes a comparative evaluation of the entries and their performance on the simulation model. It is intended that this paper will act as an anchor presentation in a special session on WECCCOMP at OMAE 2019, with other papers in the special session. Address all correspondence to this author. contributed by the competitors, describing in detail the control algorithms and the results achieved over the various sea states.

Numerical Model Development and Validation for the WECCOMP Control Competition: Preprint

Numerical Model Development and Validation for the WECCOMP Control Competition: Preprint PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This paper details the development and validation of a numerical model of the Wavestar wave energy converter (WEC) in WEC-Sim. This numerical model was developed in support of the WEC Control Competition (WECCCOMP), an open competition with the objective of maximizing WEC power production through innovative control strategies. WECCCOMP has two stages: numerical implementation of control strategies, and experimental implementation. The work presented in this paper is for support of the stage one numerical implementation, where contestants are provided a WEC-Sim model of the Wavestar device to develop their control algorithms.

Preliminary Analysis of an Oscillating Surge Wave Energy Converter with Controlled Geometry: Preprint

Preliminary Analysis of an Oscillating Surge Wave Energy Converter with Controlled Geometry: Preprint PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
The aim of this paper is to present a novel wave energy converter device concept that is being developed at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The proposed concept combines an oscillating surge wave energy converter with active control surfaces. These active control surfaces allow for the device geometry to be altered, which leads to changes in the hydrodynamic properties. The device geometry will be controlled on a sea state time scale and combined with wave-to-wave power-take-off control to maximize power capture, increase capacity factor, and reduce design loads. The paper begins with a traditional linear frequency domain analysis of the device performance. Performance sensitivity to foil pitch angle, the number of activated foils, and foil cross section geometry is presented to illustrate the current design decisions; however, it is understood from previous studies that modeling of current oscillating wave energy converter designs requires the consideration of nonlinear hydrodynamics and viscous drag forces. In response, a nonlinear model is presented that highlights the shortcomings of the linear frequency domain analysis and increases the precision in predicted performance.

Numerical Modelling of Wave Energy Converters

Numerical Modelling of Wave Energy Converters PDF Author: Matt Folley
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0128032111
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 308

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Book Description
Numerical Modelling of Wave Energy Converters: State-of-the Art Techniques for Single WEC and Converter Arrays presents all the information and techniques required for the numerical modelling of a wave energy converter together with a comparative review of the different available techniques. The authors provide clear details on the subject and guidance on its use for WEC design, covering topics such as boundary element methods, frequency domain models, spectral domain models, time domain models, non linear potential flow models, CFD models, semi analytical models, phase resolving wave propagation models, phase averaging wave propagation models, parametric design and control optimization, mean annual energy yield, hydrodynamic loads assessment, and environmental impact assessment. Each chapter starts by defining the fundamental principles underlying the numerical modelling technique and finishes with a discussion of the technique's limitations and a summary of the main points in the chapter. The contents of the chapters are not limited to a description of the mathematics, but also include details and discussion of the current available tools, examples available in the literature, and verification, validation, and computational requirements. In this way, the key points of each modelling technique can be identified without having to get deeply involved in the mathematical representation that is at the core of each chapter. The book is separated into four parts. The first two parts deal with modelling single wave energy converters; the third part considers the modelling of arrays; and the final part looks at the application of the different modelling techniques to the four most common uses of numerical models. It is ideal for graduate engineers and scientists interested in numerical modelling of wave energy converters, and decision-makers who must review different modelling techniques and assess their suitability and output. - Consolidates in one volume information and techniques for the numerical modelling of wave energy converters and converter arrays, which has, up until now, been spread around multiple academic journals and conference proceedings making it difficult to access - Presents a comparative review of the different numerical modelling techniques applied to wave energy converters, discussing their limitations, current available tools, examples, and verification, validation, and computational requirements - Includes practical examples and simulations available for download at the book's companion website - Identifies key points of each modelling technique without getting deeply involved in the mathematical representation

New Perspectives on Wave Energy Converter Control

New Perspectives on Wave Energy Converter Control PDF Author: Alexandra Anne Elizabeth Price
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 303

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Book Description
This work examines some of the fundamental problems behind the control of wave energy converters (WECs). Several new perspectives are presented to aid the understanding of the problem and the interpretation of the literature. The first of these is a group of methods for classifying control of WECs. One way to classify control is to consider the stage of power transfer from the wave to the final energy carrier. Consideration of power transfer can also be used to classify WECs into families. This approach makes it possible to classify all WECs, including those that had previously eluded classification. It also relates the equations of motion of different classes of WECs to a generalised equation of motion. This in turn clarifies why some types of control are suited to some WECs, but not others. These classification systems are used to demarcate the boundary for the theoretical work that follows. The theory applies to WECs with governing equations of motion that are linear, and to control systems that are linear, aim to maximise power, and which regulate the PTO stage of power flow. Another important perspective is the new wet and dry oscillator paradigm, which is used to differentiate between frequency domain modelling and a commonly used technique, monochromatic modelling. This distinction is necessary background for many of the new ideas discussed. It is used to resolve an ongoing debate in wave energy research: whether frequency domain modelling can be applied to cases that are not monochromatic. It is the key to an extension to the theory of capture width, a widely used performance indicator. This distinction is also the rationale behind an improved method of presenting frequency domain results: the frequency responses due to both monochromatic and polychromatic forcing are represented on the same graph. These responses are different because the optimal control problem is acausal, a topic that is also discussed in depth. This visual tool is used to investigate and confirm various ideas about the control of WECs, and to demonstrate how the newly redefined capture width encapsulates the essential control problem of WECs. The optimal control problem is said to be acausal because information about the future is required to achieve optimal control. Another vantage point offered is that of the duration of the prediction interval required for optimal control. This is given by a new parameter emerging from this work, which has been termed the premonition time. The premonition time depends on the amount of knowledge required, which is determined by the geometry of the WEC, and the amount of information available, which is largely determined by the bandwidth of the sea state. The new perspectives introduced are the various systems of classification, the wet and dry oscillator paradigm, the presentation of monochromatic and polychromatic results on the same axes, premonition time, and the revised theory on capture width. These are all used to discuss the interrelationship between WEC geometry, the control strategy and the sea-state. The opportunities for, and limitations of, the use of intelligent control techniques such as artificial neural networks are discussed. The potential contribution of various control strategies and associated design principles is explored. This discussion culminates in a series of recommendations for control strategies that are suited to each class of WEC, and for the areas of research that have the potential to bring about the greatest reductions in the cost of harnessing energy from sea waves.

Review of Wave Energy Converter Power Take-Off Systems, Testing Practices, and Evaluation Metrics: Preprint

Review of Wave Energy Converter Power Take-Off Systems, Testing Practices, and Evaluation Metrics: Preprint PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
While the field of wave energy has been the subject of numerical simulation, scale model testing, and precommercial project testing for decades, wave energy technologies remain in the early stages of development and must continuing proving themselves as a promising modern renewable energy field. One of the difficulties that wave energy systems have been struggling to overcome is the design of highly efficient energy conversion systems that can convert the mechanical power, derived from the oscillation of wave activated bodies, into another useful product. Often the power take-off (PTO) is defined as the single unit responsible for converting mechanical power into another usable form such as electricity, pressurized fluid, compressed air, and others. The PTO, and the entire power conversion chain (PCC), is of great importance as it affects not only how efficient wave power is converted into electricity, but also contributes to the mass, size, structural dynamics, and levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of the wave energy converter (WEC). Unlike wind and solar, there is no industrial standard device, or devices, for wave energy conversion and this diversity is transferred to the PTO system. The majority of current WEC PTO systems incorporate a mechanical or hydraulic drive train, power generator, and an electrical control system. The challenge of WEC PTO designs is designing a mechanical-to-electrical component that can efficiently convert irregular, bi-directional, low frequency and low alternating velocity wave motions. While gross average power levels can be predicted in advance, the variable wave elevation input has to be converted into smooth electrical output and hence usually necessitates some type of energy storage system, such as battery storage, accumulator super capacitors, etc., or other means of compensation such as an array of devices. One of the primary challenges for wave energy converter systems is the fluctuating nature of wave resources, which require WEC components to be designed to handle loads (i.e. torques, forces, and powers) that are many times greater than the average load. This approach requires a much greater PTO capacity than the average power output and indicates a higher cost. In addition, supporting mechanical coupling and or gearing can be added to the PCC to help alleviate the difficulties with transmission and control of fluctuating large loads with low frequencies (indicative of wave forcing) into smaller loads at higher frequencies (optimum for conventional electrical machine design) can quickly increase the complexity of the PCC which could result in a greater number of failure modes and increased maintenance costs. All of the previous points demonstrate how the PTO influences WEC dynamics, reliability, performance and cost which are critical design factors. This paper further explores these topics by providing a review of the state-of-the-art PTO systems currently under development, how these novel PTO systems are tested and derisked prior to precommercial deployment, and the evaluation metrics historically used to differentiate between PTO designs and how they can be improved to support control co-design focused development of wave energy systems.

Investigating the Impact of Power-take-off System Parameters and Control Law on a Rotational Wave Energy Converter's Peak-to-average Power Ratio Reduction

Investigating the Impact of Power-take-off System Parameters and Control Law on a Rotational Wave Energy Converter's Peak-to-average Power Ratio Reduction PDF Author: H. Bora Karayaka
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Direct energy conversion
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Revisiting Theoretical Limits for One-degree-of-freedom Wave Energy Converters

Revisiting Theoretical Limits for One-degree-of-freedom Wave Energy Converters PDF Author: Nathan Tom
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : International Conference on Energy and Sustainability
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Nonlinear Model Predictive Control Using Real-time Iteration Scheme for Wave Energy Converters Using WEC-Sim Platform

Nonlinear Model Predictive Control Using Real-time Iteration Scheme for Wave Energy Converters Using WEC-Sim Platform PDF Author: Juan Luis Guerrero-Fernández
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Electric power production
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Optimization and Energy Maximizing Control Systems for Wave Energy Converters

Optimization and Energy Maximizing Control Systems for Wave Energy Converters PDF Author: Giuseppe Giorgi
Publisher: Mdpi AG
ISBN: 9783036528243
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 266

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Book Description
The book, "Optimization and Energy Maximizing Control Systems for Wave Energy Converters", presents eleven contributions on the latest scientific advancements of 2020-2021 in wave energy technology optimization and control, including holistic techno-economic optimization, inclusion of nonlinear effects, and real-time implementations of estimation and control algorithms.