scholarly journals Application of the Latching Control System on the Power Performance of a Wave Energy Converter Characterized by Gearbox, Flywheel, and Electrical Generator

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo O. Guarniz Avalos ◽  
Milad Shadman ◽  
Segen F. Estefen
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Linear Theory ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Gear Ratio ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Floating Body ◽  
Power Performance ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Mean Power ◽  
Latching Control

Abstract The latching control represents an attractive alternative to increase the power absorption of wave energy converters (WECs) by tuning the phase of oscillator velocity to the wave excitation phase. However, increasing the amplitude of motion of the floating body is not the only challenge to obtain a good performance of the WEC. It also depends on the efficiency of the power take-off system (PTO). This study aims to address the actual power performance and operation of a heaving point absorber with a direct mechanical drive PTO system controlled by latching. The PTO characteristics, such as the gear ratio, the flywheel inertia, and the electric generator, are analyzed in the WEC performance. Three cylindrical point absorbers are also considered in the present study. A wave-to-wire model is developed to simulate the coupled hydro-electro-mechanical system in regular waves. The wave energy converter (WEC) performance is analyzed using the potential linear theory but considering the viscous damping effect according to the Morison equation to avoid the overestimated responses of the linear theory near resonance when the latching control system is applied. The latching control system increases the mean power. However, the increase is not significant if the parameters that characterize the WEC provide a considerable mean power. The performance of the proposed mechanical power take-off depends on the gear ratio and flywheel. However, the gear ratio shows a more significant influence than the flywheel inertia. The operating range of the generator and the diameter/draft ratio of the buoy also influence the PTO performance.

Optimum Power Capture of a New Wave Energy Converter in Irregular Waves

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
George A. Aggidis ◽  
Mohammad T. Rahmati ◽  
Robert V. Chaplin ◽  
Andrew P. McCabe ◽  
Majid A. Bhinder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Wave Spectrum ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Irregular Waves ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Mean Power ◽  
Peak Period ◽  
Point Absorber ◽  
Power Capture

This paper presents the optimum power capture of a new point-absorber wave energy converter, in irregular waves. A stepwise control system for the wave energy converter (WEC) is developed. The control system is used to efficiently extract power from irregular waves where amplitudes vary from wave to wave. The Bretschneider spectrum is used in the experiment and the device is ‘tuned’ to the peak period of the sea state. It is shown that this WEC has a reasonable capture width in irregular waves. However, the optimum mean power depends on the wave spectrum, the shape of the collector body, its freeboard and the device pivot depth.

Optimization and Time-Domain Simulation of the SEAREV Wave Energy Converter

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aure´lien Babarit ◽  
Alain H. Cle´ment ◽  
Jean-Christophe Gilloteaux
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Time Domain ◽  
Mechanical Characteristics ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Floating Body ◽  
Time Domain Simulation ◽  
Regular Waves ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Working Principle ◽  
Latching Control

This paper introduces a new second generation wave energy converter concept named SEAREV [Systeme Electrique Autonome de Recuperation d’Energie des Vagues]. The working principle and linearized equations of the device are described. It is shown how energy absorption depends on the shape of the external floating body and on the mechanical characteristics of the moving mass. This allows to numerically optimize the geometry of the device. Latching control is used to further improve the capture width of the system, with success in regular waves.

scholarly journals Design and Analysis for a Floating Oscillating Surge Wave Energy Converter

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Hsiang Yu ◽  
Ye Li ◽  
Kathleen Hallett ◽  
Chad Hotimsky
Keyword(s):  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Structure Analysis ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Integrated Design ◽  
Design Strategy ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Wave Energy Conversion ◽  
Power Performance ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
The Cost

This paper presents a recent study on the design and analysis of an oscillating surge wave energy converter (OSWEC). A successful wave energy conversion design requires balance between the design performance and cost. The cost of energy is often used as the metric to judge the design of the wave energy conversion (WEC) system, which is often determined based on the device’s power performance; the cost of manufacturing, deployment, operation, and maintenance; and environmental compliance. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the importance of a cost-driven design strategy and how it can affect a WEC design. A set of three oscillating surge wave energy converter designs was analyzed and used as examples. The power generation performance of the design was modeled using a time-domain numerical simulation tool, and the mass properties of the design were determined based on a simple structure analysis. The results of those power performance simulations, the structure analysis, and a simple economic assessment were then used to determine the cost-efficiency of selected OSWEC designs. Finally, we present a discussion on the environmental barrier, integrated design strategy, and the key areas that need further investigation.

Array Characteristics of Oscillating-Buoy Two-Floating-Body Wave-Energy Converter

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 325-333
Author(s):  
Renwei Ji ◽  
Qihu Sheng ◽  
Shuqi Wang ◽  
Yuquan Zhang ◽  
Xuewei Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Body Wave ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Floating Body ◽  
Energy Converter

scholarly journals Round Robin Testing: Exploring Experimental Uncertainties through a Multifacility Comparison of a Hinged Raft Wave Energy Converter

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 946
Author(s):  
Thomas Davey ◽  
Javier Sarmiento ◽  
Jérémy Ohana ◽  
Florent Thiebaut ◽  
Sylvain Haquin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Physical Modelling ◽  
Round Robin ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Mean Power ◽  
Wave Heights ◽  
Significant Wave Heights ◽  
Similar Good ◽  
Six Degree Of Freedom

The EU H2020 MaRINET2 project has a goal to improve the quality, robustness and accuracy of physical modelling and associated testing practices for the offshore renewable energy sector. To support this aim, a round robin scale physical modelling test programme was conducted to deploy a common wave energy converter at four wave basins operated by MaRINET2 partners. Test campaigns were conducted at each facility to a common specification and test matrix, providing the unique opportunity for intercomparison between facilities and working practices. A nonproprietary hinged raft, with a nominal scale of 1:25, was tested under a set of 12 irregular sea states. This allowed for an assessment of power output, hinge angles, mooring loads, and six-degree-of-freedom motions. The key outcome to be concluded from the results is that the facilities performed consistently, with the majority of variation linked to differences in sea state calibration. A variation of 5–10 % in mean power was typical and was consistent with the variability observed in the measured significant wave heights. The tank depth (which varied from 2–5 m) showed remarkably little influence on the results, although it is noted that these tests used an aerial mooring system with the geometry unaffected by the tank depth. Similar good agreement was seen in the heave, surge, pitch and hinge angle responses. In order to maintain and improve the consistency across laboratories, we make recommendations on characterising and calibrating the tank environment and stress the importance of the device–facility physical interface (the aerial mooring in this case).

scholarly journals Performance analysis of a point-absorber wave energy converter with a single buoy composed of three rigidly coupled structures

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 37-45
Author(s):  
Aldo Ruezga ◽  
José M. Cañedo C. ◽  
Manuel G. Verduzco-Zapata ◽  
Francisco J. Ocampo-Torres
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Floating Body ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Direct Drive ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Drive Power ◽  
Point Absorber ◽  
Single Body ◽  
Coupled Structures

A single-body point absorber system is analysed to improve its power absorption at a finite water depth.  The proposed wave energy converter consists of a single floating body coupled to a direct-drive power take-off system placed on the seabed. The structure of a cylindrical buoy with large draft is changed by a single body composed of three structures rigidly coupled, reducing its volume and improving its frequency-dependent hydrostatic parameters that are obtained through a numerical analysis tool called NEMOH. The undamped natural frequency of the oscillating system is tuned to a specified wave period and the performance of the WEC system is obtained assuming a linear Power Take-Off system. In time domain, the performance of the WEC device is carried-out under a regular (sinusoidal) and irregular incident wave profile. Comparing the performance of the WEC system using the cylindrical and the proposed buoy outcomes that the system with the proposed buoy is able to absorb more energy from incident waves with a wider frequency range, whereas the oscillating system is kept as simple as possible.

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