Abstract
Wave power conversion systems are nonlinear dynamical systems that must endure strong uncertainties. Efficiency is a key issue for these systems, and the application of robust control algorithms can improve it considerably. Wave power generation plants are typically built using variable speed generators, such as the doubly fed induction generator (DFIG). These generators, compared with fixed speed generators, are very versatile since the turbine speed may be adjusted to improve the efficiency of the whole system. Nevertheless, a suitable speed controller is required for these systems, which must be able to avoid the stalling phenomenon and track the optimal reference for the turbine. This paper proposes a sliding mode control scheme aimed at oscillating water column (OWC) generation plants using Wells turbines and DFIGs. The contributions of the paper are (1) an adaptive sliding mode control scheme that does not require calculating the bounds of the system uncertainties, (2) a Lyapunov analysis of stability for the control algorithm against system uncertainties and disturbances, and (3) a validation of the proposed control scheme through several simulation examples with the Matlab/Simulink suite. The performance results, obtained by means of simulations, for a wave power generation plant (1) evidence that this control scheme improves the power generation of the system and (2) prove that this control scheme is robust in the presence of disturbances.
This article belongs to the Special Issue Offshore Renewable Energy: Ocean Waves, Tides and Offshore Wind.