Abstract
This project is focused on validating and optimizing two designs of an onboard supercapacitor storage system and choosing the optimal design for a Wave Energy Converter. The proposed numerical analysis will compare a directly coupled supercapacitor system with a system connected through a DC/DC converter. The peak to average power ratio, cost, and weight of the two systems will be compared to determine the optimal onboard supercapacitor smoothing for a wave energy converter. A reduced peak to average ratio is crucial for Wave Energy Converters to provide the most benefit to the grid.
Supercapacitors are necessary for Wave Energy Converters because of the high peak to average ratio and are the best storage technology for onboard applications. The current supercapacitor design used in the OPI Triton-C that will be deployed in the summer of 2021 at the WETS test site in Hawaii uses a direct coupled Supercapacitor system. When looking at the literature on supercapacitor system all the designs use a DC/DC converter to connect the supercapacitor bank. Since wave energy has a higher peak to average ratio than other technologies the traditional DC/DC converter approach may or may not be the optimal solution. The goal of this research is to determine if our current design is the best approach for our application or if the more traditional system would be better. This research could change or verify the way these systems are currently designed.