Maximum Power Point Tracking for Ocean Wave Energy Conversion

Author

Amon, Ean A. ; Brekken, Ted K A ; Schacher, Alphonse A.

Author_Institution

Sch. of Electr. Eng. & Comput. Sci., Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, OR, USA

Volume

48

Issue

3

fYear

2012

Firstpage

1079

Lastpage

1086

Abstract

Many forms of renewable energy exist in the world´s oceans, with ocean wave energy showing great potential. However, the ocean environment presents many challenges for cost-effective renewable energy conversion, including optimal control of a wave energy converter (WEC). This paper presents a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm for control of a point absorber WEC. The algorithm and testing hardware are presented in detail, as well as simulated and laboratory test results. The results show that MPPT applied to ocean wave energy is an effective and promising control strategy.

Keywords

maximum power point trackers; optimal control; power generation control; renewable energy sources; surge protection; wave power generation; wave power plants; MPPT algorithm; cost-effective renewable energy conversion; maximum power point tracking algorithm; ocean WEC; ocean environment; ocean wave energy conversion; optimal control; point absorber control; testing hardware; Data acquisition; Energy conversion; Generators; Hardware; Ocean waves; Surface waves; Testing; Marine technology; maximum power point tracking (MPPT); ocean wave energy; power control; power generation;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Industry Applications, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0093-9994

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TIA.2012.2190255

Filename

6165706