Control of generated power in owc-based wave energy generations systems-implementation to the Mutriku wave power plant

Résumé

It is essential to develop new technology for the use of emerging renewable energy sources. In this sense, marine energy can play a significant role in order to meet today's energy demand. it is expected that 16 PWh of energy will be achieved annually, approximately 50% of the demand by 2040. The use of control techniques, such as MPPT, can significantly improve the power conversion process. In most turbines the performance and rotational speed are closely linked. Therefore, a specific control of the rotational speed of the turbo-generator would improve the overall performance of the system. In this sense, the research and innovations carried out aim to improve the response and performance of the turbine. The problem of stalling behavior has been traditionally addressed by limiting the air flow through the turbine. Nevertheless, limiting the air flow implies energy losses in the system, since part of the wave energy is lost in the damper. Therefore, the main purpose of this PhD thesis is to propose a novel solution that avoids the stalling behavior without limiting the air flow through the turbine, and instead, the proposed control aims to control the rotational speed of the turbo-generator to set the proper operation point of the turbine. A particular performance analysis of the Mutriku Wave Power Plant has been carried out and control strategies have been accordingly designed. // It is essential to develop new technology for the use of emerging renewable energy sources. In this sense, marine energy can play a significant role in order to meet today's energy demand. it is expected that 16 PWh of energy will be achieved annually, approximately 50% of the demand by 2040. The use of control techniques, such as MPPT, can significantly improve the power conversion process. In most turbines the performance and rotational speed are closely linked. Therefore, a specific control of the rotational speed of the turbo-generator would improve the overall performance of the system. In this sense, the research and innovations carried out aim to improve the response and performance of the turbine. The problem of stalling behavior has been traditionally addressed by limiting the air flow through the turbine. Nevertheless, limiting the air flow implies energy losses in the system, since part of the wave energy is lost in the damper. Therefore, the main purpose of this PhD thesis is to propose a novel solution that avoids the stalling behavior without limiting the air flow through the turbine, and instead, the proposed control aims to control the rotational speed of the turbo-generator to set the proper operation point of the turbine. A particular performance analysis of the Mutriku Wave Power Plant has been carried out and control strategies have been accordingly designed.