MPPT Reactive Control Algorithm for Heaving Wave Energy Converters With Power Setpoint Capabilities
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2024
Abstract
Reactive control is a popular method for maximizing wave energy absorption in wave energy converters (WECs). This technique involves adjusting the damping and stiffness coefficients of the WEC to align its natural frequency with the frequency of incoming waves. Unfortunately, wave variability and complex hydrodynamics have posed challenges in accurately determining these coefficients. This paper proposes a model-independent approach for reactive control based on a variable step size maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm. The MPPT algorithm tunes the WEC's damping and stiffness coefficients toward maximum generated power. Furthermore, a power curtailment control (PCC) strategy is integrated, based on a proportional-integral (PI) controller that modifies the MPPT control force to follow power generation references below its maximum generation capacity. This capability is essential for grid integration, where power generation must match demand. Finally, a hardware-in-the-loop experimental setup was constructed to evaluate the proposed control strategies under monochromatic and polychromatic wave conditions. An analysis comparing MPPT and damping control under various polychromatic wave conditions revealed that MPPT achieves substantially higher electrical power, outperforming damping control by 55.4% to 70.6%. The experimental results demonstrated the efficacy of the PCC strategy in reducing the WEC power output to track specific power setpoints.
Keywords
Wave energy conversion, Mathematical models, Force, Damping, Maximum power point trackers, Absorption, Hydrodynamics, Tuning, Prediction algorithms, Power systems, Complex conjugate control, hardware-in-the-loop, maximum power point tracking, permanent magnet linear generator, perturb and observe algorithm, power curtailment control, wave energy converter
Divisions
sch_ecs
Funders
United Arab Emirates University (UAE-U) Ph.D. Fund (31N387),Asian University Alliance (AUA)-UAE-U Fund (12R181)
Publication Title
IEEE Access
Volume
12
Publisher
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Publisher Location
445 HOES LANE, PISCATAWAY, NJ 08855-4141 USA