Authors:
Tom S. Pedersen
and
Kirsten M. Nielsen
Affiliation:
Aalborg University, Denmark
Keyword(s):
Dynamic model, wave energy, simulation, buoyancy control, verification, renewable energy.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Informatics in Control, Automation and Robotics
;
Information-Based Models for Control
;
Signal Processing, Sensors, Systems Modeling and Control
Abstract:
A nonlinear dynamic model of the buoyancy system in a wave energy power plant is presented. The plant (“Wave Dragon”) is a floating device using the potential energy in overtopping waves to produce power. A water reservoir is placed on top of the WD, and hydro turbines lead the water to the sea producing electrical power. Through air chambers it is possible to control the level, the trim and the heel of the WD. It is important to control the level (and trim, heel) of the WD in order to maximize the power production in proportion to the wave height, here the amount of overtopping water and the amount of potential energy is conflicting. Five separate air chambers, all open to the sea, makes the device float. The pressures in the air chambers may be individually controlled by an air fan through an array of valves. In order to make a model-based control system, this paper presents a model describing the dynamics from the air inlet to the level, trim and heel. The model is derived from fi
rst principles and is characterized by physical parameters. Results from validation of the model against plant data are presented.
(More)