Exploring the Potential for Increased Production from the Wave Energy Converter Lifesaver by Reactive Control

Jonas Sjolte, Christian McLisky Sandvik, Elisabetta Tedeschi and Marta Molinas
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Jonas Sjolte: Fred. Olsen, Fred. Olsens Gate 2, N0152 Oslo, Norway
Christian McLisky Sandvik: Department of Electric Power Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, O.S. Bragstads plass 2E, N-7034 Trondheim, Norway
Elisabetta Tedeschi: SINTEF Energy Research, Postbox 4761 Sluppen, Trondheim 7465, Norway
Marta Molinas: Department of Electric Power Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, O.S. Bragstads plass 2E, N-7034 Trondheim, Norway

Energies, 2013, vol. 6, issue 8, 1-28

Abstract: Fred Olsen is currently testing their latest wave energy converter (WEC), Lifesaver, outside of Falmouth Bay in England, preparing it for commercial operation at the Wavehub test site. Previous studies, mostly focusing on hydrodynamics and peak to average power reduction, have shown that this device has potential for increased power extraction using reactive control. This article extends those analyses, adding a detailed model of the all-electric power take-off (PTO) system, consisting of a permanent magnet synchronous generator, inverter and DC-link. Time domain simulations are performed to evaluate the PTO capabilities of the modeled WEC. However, when tuned towards reactive control, the generator losses become large, giving a very low overall system efficiency. Optimal control with respect to electrical output power is found to occur with low added mass, and when compared to pure passive loading, a 1% increase in annual energy production is estimated. The main factor reducing the effect of reactive control is found to be the minimum load-force constraint of the device. These results suggest that the Lifesaver has limited potential for increased production by reactive control. This analysis is nevertheless valuable, as it demonstrates how a wave-to-wire model can be used for investigation of PTO potential, annual energy production estimations and evaluations of different control techniques for a given WEC device.

Keywords: wave energy; reactive control; lifesaver; wave-to-wire model; power take-off; point absorber (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: 2013
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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