CONPARA · Control parametric resonance of wave energy conversion systems

To date, no marine system, let alone wave energy device, has attempted to exploit parametric resonance as an assistive phenomenon. A number of wave energy researchers have observed the phenomenon and sought to dampen it, but the concept of harnessing the power transferred from (typically) heave to (typically) pitch/roll has not been considered. This fellowship aims to control the parametric resonance of WEC dynamics to improve energy conversion efficiency, based on a 1/20 scale prototype. The research objectives (ROs) are: RO1: Identify a high-fidelity and computation-effective model to represent the WEC parametric resonance with CFD verification in OpenFOAM (open source) and parametric analysis in MATLAB. RO2: Develop advanced nonlinear control strategies and corresponding PTO mechanism for actuation, to improve WEC efficiency making use of its multi-DoF motion and parametric resonance. RO3: Conduct tank testing to verify the modelling of parametric resonance (RO1), and model-based control design and implementation (RO2), based on a self-assembled 1/20 scale prototype. Successful achievement of this fellowship will lead to timely and useful contribution to the wave energy and relevant communities, including: (i) an hydrodynamic model describing WEC parametric resonance with real time computation capacity, (ii) advancing the understanding in WEC parametric resonance, (iii) a 1/20 scale WEC prototype, and (iv) implementable control and PTO systems for multi-DoF WEC systems. In the long term, the successful achievement of this project will improve the technology readiness level (TRL) of wave energy from 5 to 7 for commercial application.