Reaction force control of a linear electrical generator for direct drive wave energy conversion

Abstract

Direct drive wave energy converters have been proposed in view of the disadvantage of mechanical complexity and low conversion efficiencies in conventional wave energy converters. By directly coupling a linear generator to a reciprocating wave energy device, it is suggested that direct drive power take-off could be a viable alternative to hydraulic- and pneumatic-based systems. To further realise the benefits of a direct drive system, a control scheme based on reaction force control to maximise energy extraction is presented. It focuses predominantly on the theoretical analysis of the linear generator reaction force. The modelling, simulation and control of direct drive wave energy conversion are systematically investigated by computer-aided analysis via Matlab/Simulink.