Optimisation of Control Algorithm for Hydraulic Power Take-Off System in Wave Energy Converter

Niklas Enoch Andersen, Jakob Blåbjerg Mathiasen, Maja Grankær Carøe, Chen Chen, Christian-Emil Helver, Allan Lynggaard Ludvigsen, Nis Frededal Ebsen and Anders Hedegaard Hansen ()
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Niklas Enoch Andersen: AAU Energy, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
Jakob Blåbjerg Mathiasen: AAU Energy, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
Maja Grankær Carøe: AAU Energy, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
Chen Chen: AAU Energy, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
Christian-Emil Helver: AAU Energy, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
Allan Lynggaard Ludvigsen: AAU Energy, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
Nis Frededal Ebsen: Floating Power Plant A/S, 4941 Bandholm, Denmark
Anders Hedegaard Hansen: AAU Energy, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 19, 1-18

Abstract: Wave energy converters are still a maturing technology and, as such, still face a series of challenges before they can compete with already-established technologies. One of these challenges is optimising the amount of energy extracted from the waves and delivered to the power grid. This study investigates the possibility of increasing the energy output of the existing hydraulic power take-off system of a wave energy converter made by Floating Power Plant during small-scale testing of their hybrid wind and wave energy platform. This system consists of a floater arm that rotates an axle when displaced by the waves. When the axle rotates, two hydraulic cylinders are actuated, displacing oil to run through a hydraulic motor driving an electric generator. The energy extraction is controlled by implementing a control algorithm on a series of on/off valves, which decouples the two hydraulic cylinders driving the hydraulic motor, and by varying the applied torque from the generator to match the wave conditions. Finally, it is investigated whether adding high-pressure pathways to the cylinder pressure chambers is beneficial for maximum power point tracking with reactive control. The analysis is conducted through a numerical model developed in Simulink and verified by comparison to the experimental setup supplied by Floating Power Plant. The study finds that a continuous valve switching strategy is optimal compared to end-point switching and reactive control with high-pressure pathways.

Keywords: power take-off; wave energy; fluid power; hydraulics; wave power extraction algorithm; numerical simulation; experimental testing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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