Control-Influenced Layout Optimization of Arrays of Wave Energy Converters

In this paper we compare the optimal configurations for an array of WECs given two control schemes, a real-time global control and a passive sea-state based tuning scheme. In a particular wave climate and array orientation with its axis normal to the prevailing wave direction, closely-spaced symmetrical arrays of 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 cylinders of different radiative properties are simulated for varying inter-device separation distances. For each device and control type, we focus on the factors that influence the optimal layout, including number of devices, separating distance and angular spreading. The average annual power output is calculated for each optimal configuration.

Design and Analysis for a Floating Oscillating Surge Wave Energy Converter

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.

Confirmation of a Nonlinear Model Predictive Control Strategy Applied to a Permanent Magnet Linear Generator for Wave-Energy Conversion

This paper begins with a brief review of the time-domain equation of motion for a generic floating body. The equation of motion of the floating body was modified to account for the influence of a power-take-off unit (PTO) to predict the hydrodynamic and electromechanical performance of the coupled system. As the damping coefficient is considered the dominant contribution to the PTO reaction force, the optimum non time-varying damping values were first presented for all frequencies, recovering the well-known impedance-matching principle at the coupled resonance frequency. In an effort to further maximize power absorption in both regular and irregular wave environments, nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) was applied to the model-scale point absorber developed at UC Berkeley. The proposed NMPC strategy requires a PTO unit that could be turned on and off instantaneously, leading, interestingly to electrical sequences where the generator would be inactive for up to 60% of the wave period. In order to validate the effectiveness of this NMPC strategy, an in-house designed permanent magnet linear generator (PMLG) was chosen as the PTO. The time-varying performance of the PMLG was first characterized by dry-bench tests, using mechanical relays to control the electromagnetic conversion process. Following this, the physical set-up was transferred to the wave tank. The on/off sequencing of the PMLG was tested under regular and irregular wave excitation to validate NMPC simulations using control inputs obtained from running the control algorithm offline. Experimental results indicate that successful implementation was achieved and the absorbed power using NMPC was up to 50% greater than the passive system, which utilized no controller. However, after considering the PMLG mechanical-to-electrical conversion efficiency the useful electrical power output was not consistently maximized. To improve output power, a mathematical relation between the efficiency and damping magnitude of the PMLG was inserted in the system model to maximize the electrical power output through continued use of NMPC. Of significance, results from these latter simulations provided a damping time series that was active over a larger portion of the wave period and required the actuation of the applied electrical load connected to the PMLG, rather than a simple on/off type control.

Dynamic Responses of a Jacket-Type Offshore Wind Turbine Using Decoupled and Coupled Models

This paper presents numerical studies of the dynamic responses of a jacket-type offshore wind turbine using both decoupled and coupled models. In the decoupled (hydroelastic) model, the wind load is included through time-dependent forces and moments at a single node on the top of the tower. The coupled model is a hydro-servo-aero-elastic representation of the system. The investigated structure is the OC4 (Offshore Code Comparison Collaboration Continuation) jacket foundation supporting the NREL 5-MW wind turbine in a water depth of 50m. Different operational wind and wave loadings at an offshore site with relatively high soil stiffness are investigated. The objective of this study is to evaluate the applicability of the computationally efficient linear decoupled model by comparing with the results obtained from the nonlinear coupled model. Good agreement was obtained in the eigen-frequency analysis, decay tests, and wave-only simulations. In order to obtain good results in the combined wind and wave simulations, two different strategies were applied in the decoupled model, which are 1) Wind loads obtained from the coupled model were applied directly as time-dependent point loads in the decoupled model; and 2) The thrust and torque from an isolated rotor model were used as wind loads on the decoupled model together with a linear aerodynamic damper. It was found that, by applying the thrust force from an isolated rotor model in combination with linear damping, reasonable agreement could be obtained between the decoupled and coupled models in combined wind and wave simulations.

Integrated Optimization of Floating Wind Turbine Systems

The purpose of this paper is to show an exemplary methodology for the integrated conceptioning of a floating wind turbine system with focus on the spar-type hull and the wind turbine blade-pitch-to-feather controller. It is a special interest to use a standard controller, which is easily implementable, even at early design stages. The optimization of the system is done with adapted static and dynamic models through a stepwise narrowing of the design space according to the requirements of floating wind turbines. After selecting three spar-type hull geometries with variable draft a simplified nonlinear simulation model with four degrees of freedom is set up and then linearized including the aerodynamics with the blade pitch controller in the closed-loop. The linear system allows conventional procedures for SISO controller design giving a theoretically suitable range of controller gains. Subsequently, the nonlinear model is used to find the optimal controller gains for each platform. Finally, a nonlinear coupled model with nine degrees of freedom gives the optimal solution under realistic wind and wave loads.

Study of Turbulence Statistics in Large-Eddy Simulations of Ocean Current Turbine Environments

As ocean current turbines move from the design stage into production and installation, a better understanding of oceanic turbulent flows and localized loading is required by researchers and members of industry. Consideration of realistic ocean turbulence environments, in particular, is essential for obtaining accurate and reliable predictions of ocean turbine lifetime and performance. In this study, large eddy simulations (LES) are used to model the turbulent boundary layer in which an ocean current turbine operates. The LES model captures current driving due to winds, waves, and tides, thereby providing a high degree of physical realism. Inflow and boundary conditions are designed to represent conditions during an observational campaign at Admiralty Head in Puget Sound, and comparisons are made between the LES results and available observational measurements. Further statistical measures of the LES flow fields are outlined, including vertical profiles of Reynolds stresses, turbine loading, and two point correlations. The ability of the synthetic turbulence generator TurbSim to reproduce realistic ocean turbulence is qualitatively assessed through comparisons with LES results. Finally, preliminary simulation results are presented for an ocean current turbine represented by an actuator disk.

Implementation of Computational Methods to Obtain Accurate Induction Factors for Offshore Wind Turbines

Most of the wind turbine analysis softwares widely being used in the market are based on the Blade Element Momentum method (BEM). The two important parameters that the BEM codes calculate are the axial and the tangential induction factors. These factors are calculated based on the empirical blade lift coefficient Cl and drag coefficient Cd along with some loss/correction functions to account for the losses near the blade tip and the hub. The current study focusses on verifying the values of induction factors using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations for floating offshore wind turbines at a selected sea state. The study includes steady state calculations as well as transient calculations for pitching motions of the turbine due to waves. The NREL FAST software is used to set the simulation scenarios according to OC3 Phase IV cases. The blades are divided a number of elements in CFD calculations and the data are extracted at individual elements to have an exact comparison with the BEM based calculations.

Structural Dynamics and Load Analysis of Large Offshore Wind Turbines in Western Gulf of Mexico Shallow Water

In this paper, a study is conducted on wind and metocean loads and associated structural dynamics of a 13.2-MW large offshore wind turbine in Western Gulf of Mexico (GOM) shallow water. The offshore wind turbine considered includes a rotor with three 100-meter long blades and a mono-tower support structure. Natural frequencies and mode shapes of the blades and the mono-tower are determined first and used subsequently to establish a Campbell diagram for safe wind turbine operation. The results show that hydrodynamic added mass has little effect on the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the support structure but it introduces, in part, appreciable effects on loads carried by the turbine when the blades are pitched at wind speeds above the rated speed. Also determined, for normal operation and extreme metocean conditions (i.e., 100-year return hurricanes), are normal thrust on the wind rotor, blade-tip displacement, overturning moment and tower-top displacement sustained by the wind turbine.

How to Detect Local Out-of-Plane Vibrations in Jacket Support Structures for Offshore Wind Turbines

There has been an ongoing debate whether local out-of-plane vibrations of braces exist in jacket support structures for wind turbines. The issue has been raised with the sequential analysis of offshore wind turbines, where increased fatigue damage for bracings was observed. Local vibration modes, excited by rotor harmonics, were detected as a reason for it. A methodology to remove global motion of the jacket from the displacements of the central joint in a brace is presented and the amplitude of local out-of-plane displacements is analyzed, using an integrated wind turbine simulation based on a flexible multibody solver. Finally, the impact on fatigue damage is calculated. Results indicate that the extent of local vibrations is much less than previously thought or predicted in other studies.