This submission contains several papers, a final report, descriptions of a theoretical framework for two types of control systems, and descriptions of eight real-time flap load control policies with the objective of assessing the potential improvement of annual average capture efficiency at a reference site on an MHK device developed by Resolute Marine Energy, Inc. (RME). The submission also contains an LCOE model that estimates the performance and related energy cost improvements that each advanced control system might provide and recommendations for improving DOE's LCOE model. The two types of control systems are for wave energy converters which transform data into commands that, in the case of RME's OWSC wave energy converter, provide real-time adjustments to damping forces applied to the prime mover via the power take-off system (PTO). The control theories developed were: 1) Model Predictive Control (MPC) or so-called "non-causal" control whereby sensors deployed seaward of a wave energy converter measure incoming wave characteristics and transmit that information to a data processor which issues commands to the PTO to adjust the damping force to an optimal value; and 2) "Causal" control which utilizes local sensors on the wave energy converter itself to transmit information to a data processor which then issues appropriate commands to the PTO. The two advanced control policies developed by Scruggs and Re Vision were then compared to a simple control policy, Coulomb damping, which was utilized by RME during the two rounds of ocean trials it had conducted prior to the commencement of this project. The project work plan initially included a provision for RME to conduct hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing of the data processors and configurations of valves, sensors and rectifiers needed to implement the two advanced control systems developed by Scruggs and Re Vision Consulting but the funding for that aspect of the project was cut at the conclusion of Budget Period 1. Accordingly, more work needs to be done to determine: a) means and feasibility of implementing real-time control; and b) added costs associated with such implementation taking into account estimated effects on system availability in addition to component costs.
Project baseline levelized cost of energy (LCOE) model for the Centipod WEC containing annual energy production (AEP) data, a cost breakdown structure (CBS), model documentation, and the LCOE content model. This baseline was built for comparison with the resultant LCOE model, built after implementation of the model predictive control (MPC) controller.
The objectives of the proposed work pertain to building a high power-density and high efficiency device to harness MHK energy by mimicking fish-school kinematics. Vortex Hydro Energy is collaborating with a concept formed and undergone preliminary testing at the University of Michigan to complete this task. This submission contains data from the Marine Hydrodynamics Laboratory tank testing for 1, 2, and 3 cylinders. Tests were run in a 10,000 gallon recirculating tank. Cylinders have a diameter of 0.0889 m and 0.895m long. See "Read Me" for file format explanation and additional details.
This submission includes all the data to support an LCOE baseline assessment for the Resolute Marine Energy (RME) Surge WEC device.
The overarching project objective is to demonstrate the feasibility of using an innovative PowerTake-Off (PTO) Module in Columbia Power's utility-scale wave energy converter (WEC). The PTO Module uniquely combines a large-diameter, direct-drive, rotary permanent magnet generator; a patent-pending rail-bearing system; and a corrosion-resistant fiber-reinforced-plastic structure
Configurations as tested and modeled in final phase of project for the Delos-Reyes Morrow Pressure Device (DMP), commercialized by M3 Wave LLC as "APEX."
This project successfully developed methods for numerical modeling of sediment transport phenomena around rigid objects resting on or near the ocean floor. These techniques were validated with physical testing using actual sediment in a large wave tank. These methods can be applied to any nearshore structure, including wave energy devices, surge devices, and hinged flap systems. These techniques can be used to economically iterate on device geometries, lowering the cost to refine designs and reducing time to market. The key takeaway for this project was that the most cost-effective method to reduce sediment transport impact is to avoid it altogether. By elevating device structures lightly off the seabed, sediment particles will flow under and around, ebbing and flowing naturally. This allows sediment scour and accretion to follow natural equalization processes without hydrodynamic acceleration or deceleration effects of artificial structures. This submission includes the final technical report for this DOE project. The objective of this project was to develop a set of analysis tools (hydrodynamics and structural models providing inputs into a sediment model), and use those tools to identify and refine the optimal device geometry for the Delos-Reyes Morrow Pressure Device (DMP), commercialized by M3 Wave LLC as "APEX."
Input data and heave results (unsteady RANS-VOF overset simulations performed in Star-CCM+) for a float with an ellipsoid geometry. Five extreme sea states were considered, as detailed in the conference paper "Application of the Most Likely Extreme Response Method for Wave Energy Converters" by Quon et al. (see resource below). These sea states were extrapolated from conditions near Humboldt Bay, California. Focused waves were generated using the MLER module of the Wave Design Response Toolbox (WDRT) and specified at the inlet boundary conditions. The device was constrained to heave only and a PTO was not modeled.
Data collected during the 2016 St. Clair River installation of the Oscylator-4 energy converter.
Updated Risk Registers for major subsystems of the StingRAY WEC completed according to the methodology described in compliance with the DOE Risk Management Framework developed by NREL.