Oscillating water column control and monitoring

This article covers research into cost reduction pathways for wave energy. The primary focus is the development and test of reliable and controllable power take-off (PTO) technology for oscillating water column converters (OWC). This is highly relevant to the ocean energy challenge. Extensive testing via data of the NEREIDA MOWC demonstration project, a breakwater wave plant located in the Basque location of Mutriku, using Wells turbines and Doubly Fed Induction (DFIG) generators is proposed to advance wave energy converter (WEC) devices. The control tests involve the integration of the PTO technology within a new variable controller for OWC wave power generation plants. Due to the nature of the control law, it allows monitoring faults caused by parametrical errors or system disturbances. The reliability tests by means of analysing the electrical signals have been conceived as conditioning monitoring, detection of mechanical faults and hardware damaging also fulfil a secondary aim for the reduction of maintenance cost and unscheduled downtime during operation of OWC plants.