Multi-megawatt offshore wave energy converters – electrical system configuration and generator control strategy

Abstract

Considerations of the electrical system configuration and the control strategy for the wave dragon (WD) multi-megawatt (MW) offshore wave energy converter (WEC) are presented in this study. The electrical system consists of 16–20 turbine–generator–AC/DC/AC converter units. The characteristics of the low-head water-turbine and generator control strategy enabling maximum energy capture and the best performance for the MW offshore wave energy power take-off system are described in detail. Simulation results from a single turbine–generator–frequency converter unit at different turbine heads are presented at the end of the study.