Wave energy extraction using latching control system

This study addresses the application of a latching control system on a wave energy converter (WEC) proposed by the COPPE/UFRJ that is the second generation of the Brazilian WEC to be installed near to the Rio de Janeiro coastline. It can be categorized as a heaving point absorber that consists of a cylindrical buoy and a bottom-mounted support structure. The power take-off (PTO) system, which converts the absorbed power into electricity, is a direct mechanical system that includes a gearbox and a rotational generator. The performance of the system controlled by a constant-delay latching control (CDL) is analyzed in regular and irregular waves. The hydrodynamic coefficients of the oscillating buoy are calculated using AQWA ANSYS in frequency domain. A wave-to-wire model is developed to simulate the WEC performance in time domain. Additionally, an alternative CDL control adapted to the characteristics of the device is proposed to improve the power absorption.