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Advanced Control Systems for Wave Energy Converters

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This submission contains several papers, a final report, descriptions of a theoretical framework for two types of control systems, and descriptions of eight real-time flap load control policies with the objective of assessing the potential improvement of annual average capture efficiency at a reference site on an MHK device developed by Resolute Marine Energy, Inc. (RME). The submission also contains an LCOE model that estimates the performance and related energy cost improvements that each advanced control system might provide and recommendations for improving DOE's LCOE model.

The two types of control systems are for wave energy converters which transform data into commands that, in the case of RME's OWSC wave energy converter, provide real-time adjustments to damping forces applied to the prime mover via the power take-off system (PTO). The control theories developed were:
1) Model Predictive Control (MPC) or so-called "non-causal" control whereby sensors deployed seaward of a wave energy converter measure incoming wave characteristics and transmit that information to a data processor which issues commands to the PTO to adjust the damping force to an optimal value; and
2) "Causal" control which utilizes local sensors on the wave energy converter itself to transmit information to a data processor which then issues appropriate commands to the PTO.

The two advanced control policies developed by Scruggs and Re Vision were then compared to a simple control policy, Coulomb damping, which was utilized by RME during the two rounds of ocean trials it had conducted prior to the commencement of this project.

The project work plan initially included a provision for RME to conduct hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing of the data processors and configurations of valves, sensors and rectifiers needed to implement the two advanced control systems developed by Scruggs and Re Vision Consulting but the funding for that aspect of the project was cut at the conclusion of Budget Period 1. Accordingly, more work needs to be done to determine: a) means and feasibility of implementing real-time control; and b) added costs associated with such implementation taking into account estimated effects on system availability in addition to component costs.

Citation Formats

Resolute Marine Energy, Inc.. (2017). Advanced Control Systems for Wave Energy Converters [data set]. Retrieved from https://dx.doi.org/10.15473/1498298.
Export Citation to RIS
Scruggs, Jeffrey, Previsic, Mirko, Staby, William, Karthikeyan, Anantha, and Previsic, Mirko. Advanced Control Systems for Wave Energy Converters. United States: N.p., 30 Jan, 2017. Web. doi: 10.15473/1498298.
Scruggs, Jeffrey, Previsic, Mirko, Staby, William, Karthikeyan, Anantha, & Previsic, Mirko. Advanced Control Systems for Wave Energy Converters. United States. https://dx.doi.org/10.15473/1498298
Scruggs, Jeffrey, Previsic, Mirko, Staby, William, Karthikeyan, Anantha, and Previsic, Mirko. 2017. "Advanced Control Systems for Wave Energy Converters". United States. https://dx.doi.org/10.15473/1498298. https://mhkdr.openei.org/submissions/171.
@div{oedi_3958, title = {Advanced Control Systems for Wave Energy Converters}, author = {Scruggs, Jeffrey, Previsic, Mirko, Staby, William, Karthikeyan, Anantha, and Previsic, Mirko.}, abstractNote = {This submission contains several papers, a final report, descriptions of a theoretical framework for two types of control systems, and descriptions of eight real-time flap load control policies with the objective of assessing the potential improvement of annual average capture efficiency at a reference site on an MHK device developed by Resolute Marine Energy, Inc. (RME). The submission also contains an LCOE model that estimates the performance and related energy cost improvements that each advanced control system might provide and recommendations for improving DOE's LCOE model.

The two types of control systems are for wave energy converters which transform data into commands that, in the case of RME's OWSC wave energy converter, provide real-time adjustments to damping forces applied to the prime mover via the power take-off system (PTO). The control theories developed were:
1) Model Predictive Control (MPC) or so-called "non-causal" control whereby sensors deployed seaward of a wave energy converter measure incoming wave characteristics and transmit that information to a data processor which issues commands to the PTO to adjust the damping force to an optimal value; and
2) "Causal" control which utilizes local sensors on the wave energy converter itself to transmit information to a data processor which then issues appropriate commands to the PTO.

The two advanced control policies developed by Scruggs and Re Vision were then compared to a simple control policy, Coulomb damping, which was utilized by RME during the two rounds of ocean trials it had conducted prior to the commencement of this project.

The project work plan initially included a provision for RME to conduct hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing of the data processors and configurations of valves, sensors and rectifiers needed to implement the two advanced control systems developed by Scruggs and Re Vision Consulting but the funding for that aspect of the project was cut at the conclusion of Budget Period 1. Accordingly, more work needs to be done to determine: a) means and feasibility of implementing real-time control; and b) added costs associated with such implementation taking into account estimated effects on system availability in addition to component costs.
}, doi = {10.15473/1498298}, url = {https://mhkdr.openei.org/submissions/171}, journal = {}, number = , volume = , place = {United States}, year = {2017}, month = {01}}
https://dx.doi.org/10.15473/1498298

Details

Data from Jan 30, 2017

Last updated Jan 31, 2022

Submitted Jan 31, 2017

Organization

Resolute Marine Energy, Inc.

Contact

Bill Staby

Authors

Jeffrey Scruggs

University of Michigan

Mirko Previsic

Re Vision Consulting

William Staby

Resolute Marine

Anantha Karthikeyan

Re-Vision Consulting

Mirko Previsic

Re-Vision Consulting

DOE Project Details

Project Name Optimal Control of a Surge-Mode WEC in Random Waves

Project Lead Alison LaBonte

Project Number EE0006402

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