Share reportControl Systems
The Control Systems programme sought to design, develop and demonstrate advanced control systems for WECs and sub-systems which could deliver improvements in the WES Target Outcome Metrics.
Lead contractor
CPower Alba Ltd
Sub-contractor(s)
Wave Venture Ltd
SgurrControl Ltd.
Overview
The goal of the Wave Energy Advanced Control System (WEACS) is to significantly lower the cost of wave power through improved performance, survivability, reliability and maintainability. To achieve the Industry target of £150/MWh, a comprehensive, advanced control system is required by all wave energy device technology developers.
The WEACS Project effort was directed towards the research, design and development of a control system that includes high-level supervisory and diagnostic functions, along with low-level, real-time dynamic-control processes. WEACS is anticipated to serve as the central nervous system for a wave energy conversion device and to be connected to all systems within the device. Stage 1 demonstrates the overall feasibility and expected benefits of WEACS.
This Project expanded on work already completed by CPower Alba, who is developing the StingRAY wave power device for utility-scale markets. The WEACS team also includes SgurrControl, who are control systems experts, and Wave Venture, a specialist wave energy consultancy and software provider.
CPower Alba Ltd also presented a poster on their Stage 1 Control Systems project at the 2017 WES Annual Conference.
Stage 1
July 2018
The Wave Energy Advanced Control System (WEACS) project is intended to research, design and develop a holistic control system, that includes high‐level supervisory and diagnostic functions, along with low‐level, realtime dynamic‐control processes. WEACS will play a critical role in wave energy conversion device (WEC) control in that it is responsible for operational control of all subsystems under normal, extreme, fault or other conditions.
The WEACS is expected to handle wave‐to‐wave generator control by commanding the most appropriate generator driveshaft torque. The coded and compiled algorithm that accomplishes this task (Optimisation Module), will both optimise wave power extraction by the WEC, while not violating other system constraints, e.g., temperature, torque and speed.
During Stage 1, a comprehensive literature review was conducted that assessed the current state of the art in control methods. A ranking system was utilized to select the most‐appropriate methods for future controller development, with a focus on suitability, maturity, practicality, and potential benefit. Broad examination and evaluation of the most‐relevant control strategies for this project yielded two methodologies for future development: Approximate Complex Conjugate Control / Optimal Velocity Tracking (ACCC/OVT); and, Model Predictive Control (MPC).
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