Wave Energy Extraction Maximization in Irregular Ocean Waves Using Pseudospectral Methods

Energy extraction from ocean waves and conversion to electrical energy is a promising form of renewable energy, yet achieving economic viability of wave energy converters (WECs) has proven challenging. In this article, the design of a heaving cylinder WEC will be explored. The optimal plant (i.e. draft and radius) design space with respect to the design’s optimal control (i.e. power take-off trajectory) for maximum energy production is characterized. Irregular waves based on the Bretschneider wave spectrum are considered. The optimization problem was solved using a pseudospectral method, a direct optimal control approach that can incorporate practical design constraints, such as power flow, actuation force, and slamming. The results provide early-stage guidelines for WEC design. Results show the resonance frequency required for optimal energy production with a regular wave is quite different than the resonance frequency found for irregular waves; specifically, it is much higher.Copyright © 2013 by ASME

[1]  Irina Ivanova,et al.  Simulated generator for wave energy extraction in deep water , 2005 .

[2]  Yin Lu Young,et al.  Analysis and optimization of a tethered wave energy converter in irregular waves , 2012 .

[3]  Paolo Mattavelli,et al.  Analysis of power extraction from irregular waves by all-electric power take off , 2010, 2010 IEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition.

[4]  M. N. Sahinkaya,et al.  A review of wave energy converter technology , 2009 .

[5]  John T. Betts,et al.  Practical Methods for Optimal Control and Estimation Using Nonlinear Programming , 2009 .

[6]  Umesh A. Korde,et al.  Control system applications in wave energy conversion , 2000, OCEANS 2000 MTS/IEEE Conference and Exhibition. Conference Proceedings (Cat. No.00CH37158).

[7]  J. T. Scruggs,et al.  Maximum power generation of a wave energy converter in a stochastic environment , 2011, 2011 IEEE International Conference on Control Applications (CCA).

[8]  Johannes Falnes,et al.  Ocean Waves and Oscillating Systems: Wave-Energy Absorption by Oscillating Bodies , 2002 .

[9]  James T. Allison.  Plant-Limited Co-Design of an Energy-Efficient Counterbalanced Robotic Manipulator , 2013 .

[10]  James T. Allison,et al.  Wave Energy Extraction Maximization Using Direct Transcription , 2012 .

[11]  J. Ringwood.  Practical Challenges in Harvesting Wave Energy , 2008 .

[12]  Anil V. Rao,et al.  Algorithm 902: GPOPS, A MATLAB software for solving multiple-phase optimal control problems using the gauss pseudospectral method , 2010, TOMS.

[13]  Pierre E. Dupont,et al.  CONSTRAINED OPTIMAL CONTROL OF VIBRATION DAMPERS , 1998 .

[14]  A H Clément,et al.  Discrete control of resonant wave energy devices , 2012, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences.

[15]  James T. Allison.  Engineering system co-design with limited plant redesign , 2012 .

[16]  António F.O. Falcão,et al.  Phase control through load control of oscillating-body wave energy converters with hydraulic PTO system , 2008 .

[17]  Antonio de la Villa Jaén,et al.  Control of Hydrodynamic Parameters of Wave Energy Point Absorbers using Linear Generators and VSC-based Power Converters Connected to the Grid , 2010 .

[18]  E. Kerrigan,et al.  Optimal Active Control and Optimization of a Wave Energy Converter , 2013, IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy.

[19]  Hosam K. Fathy,et al.  Combined plant and control optimization: Theory, strategies and applications. , 2003 .

[20]  James T. Allison,et al.  Combined plant and controller design using decomposition-based design optimization and the minimum principle , 2010, DAC 2010.

[21]  T. Moan,et al.  Constrained Optimal Control of a Heaving Buoy Wave-Energy Converter , 2011 .

[22]  Tiger L. Jeans,et al.  Irregular deep ocean wave energy attenuation using a cycloidal wave energy converter , 2013 .

[23]  J. Sa da Costa,et al.  Comparison of control strategies performance for a Wave Energy Converter , 2008, 2008 16th Mediterranean Conference on Control and Automation.

[24]  Urszula Ledzewicz,et al.  Optimal response to chemotherapy for a mathematical model of tumor–immune dynamics , 2012, Journal of mathematical biology.

[25]  Kevin McTaggart.  Modelling and Simulation of Seaways in Deep Water for Simulation of Ship Motions , 2003 .

[26]  Jørgen Hals,et al.  Heaving buoys, point absorbers and arrays , 2012, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences.

[27]  R. W. Yeung.  Added mass and damping of a vertical cylinder in finite-depth waters , 1981 .

[28]  Yasuo Kuniyoshi,et al.  Exploration of Natural Dynamics through Resonance and Chaos , 2006, IAS.

[29]  James T. Allison,et al.  Multidisciplinary design optimization of dynamic engineering systems , 2013 .

[30]  Johannes Falnes,et al.  A REVIEW OF WAVE-ENERGY EXTRACTION , 2007 .

[31]  Jason L. Speyer.  Periodic optimal flight , 1996 .

[32]  Anil V. Rao,et al.  Minimum-Fuel Low-Earth Orbit Aeroassisted Orbital Transfer of Small Spacecraft , 2011 .