Wave Energy Converter Power Take-Off Modeling and Validation From Experimental Bench Tests

• Published in: IEEE journal of oceanic engineering Vol. 49; no. 2; pp. 446 - 457
• Main Authors: Giorgi, Simone, Coe, Ryan G., Reasoner, Meagan M., Bacelli, Giorgio, Forbush, Dominic D., Jensen, Scott, Cazenave, Francois, Hamilton, Andrew
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01.04.2024; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Aquaria; Aquarium fishes; Aquariums; Bench tests; Benchmark testing; Dynamic characteristics; Dynamical systems; force; Hydraulic systems; Mathematical models; modeling; Nonlinear dynamics; Numerical models; Oceanographic research; Permanent magnet motors; Pistons; power take-off (PTO); Springs; Subsystems; Takeoff; TIDAL AND WAVE POWER; validation; Wave energy; Wave energy conversion; wave energy converter (WEC); Wave power
• ISSN: 0364-9059; 1558-1691
• DOI: 10.1109/JOE.2023.3345903

This article describes the implementation of a new numerical model of the power take-off system installed in the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute wave energy converter, a device developed to provide power to various oceanic research missions. The simultaneous presence of hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical subsystems in the power take-off system represents a significant challenge in forging an accurate model able to replicate the main dynamic characteristics of the system. The validation of the new numerical model is addressed by comparing simulations with the measurements obtained during a series of bench tests. Data from the bench tests show good agreement with the numerical model. The validated model provides deeper insights into the complex nonlinear dynamics of the power take-off system and will support further performance improvements in the future.