Maximum power point tracking of stirling generator and ocean wave energy conversion systems using a two-stage power converter

Wave energy has become one of the most promising renewable energy resources nowadays. By using a linear generator/alternator, the periodic piston motion of the wave energy conversion system (WEC) can be converted to AC voltage with variable RMS amplitude and frequency; this process is comparable to the operation of a Stirling generator as well. This paper has presented a solution to make use of this output voltage that involves a boost-type single-stage rectifier to regulate the voltage and generate DC output. In this solution, appropriate control scheme has been used with the rectifier to maximize the power generation from the Stirling generator. A single phase H-bridge inverter has then been used after it for practical applications (120V, 60 Hz). Because no real Stirling generator was available in the lab, we have modeled the behavior of the generator and simulated the proposed power converters. Also, a prototype of the boost-type single-stage rectifier has been built and tested to verify our strategy. Compared to conventional passive rectification, this solution improves the circuit´s performance significantly.