A report on state estimation for advanced control of wave energy converters (WECs), with supporting data models and slides from the overview presentation. The methods discussed are intended for use to enable real-time closed loop control of WECs.

This submission contains several papers, a final report, descriptions of a theoretical framework for two types of control systems, and descriptions of eight real-time flap load control policies with the objective of assessing the potential improvement of annual average capture efficiency at a reference site on an MHK device developed by Resolute Marine Energy, Inc. (RME). The submission also contains an LCOE model that estimates the performance and related energy cost improvements that each advanced control system might provide and recommendations for improving DOE's LCOE model. The two types of control systems are for wave energy converters which transform data into commands that, in the case of RME's OWSC wave energy converter, provide real-time adjustments to damping forces applied to the prime mover via the power take-off system (PTO). The control theories developed were: 1) Model Predictive Control (MPC) or so-called "non-causal" control whereby sensors deployed seaward of a wave energy converter measure incoming wave characteristics and transmit that information to a data processor which issues commands to the PTO to adjust the damping force to an optimal value; and 2) "Causal" control which utilizes local sensors on the wave energy converter itself to transmit information to a data processor which then issues appropriate commands to the PTO. The two advanced control policies developed by Scruggs and Re Vision were then compared to a simple control policy, Coulomb damping, which was utilized by RME during the two rounds of ocean trials it had conducted prior to the commencement of this project. The project work plan initially included a provision for RME to conduct hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing of the data processors and configurations of valves, sensors and rectifiers needed to implement the two advanced control systems developed by Scruggs and Re Vision Consulting but the funding for that aspect of the project was cut at the conclusion of Budget Period 1. Accordingly, more work needs to be done to determine: a) means and feasibility of implementing real-time control; and b) added costs associated with such implementation taking into account estimated effects on system availability in addition to component costs.

The over-arching project objective is to fully develop and validate optimal controls frameworks that can subsequently be applied widely to different WEC devices and concepts. Optimal controls of WEC devices represent a fundamental building block for WEC designers that must be considered as an integral part of every stage of device development. Using a building-blocks approach to optimal controls development, this effort will result in the full development of a feed-forward and feed-back control approach and a wave prediction system. Phase I focused primarily on numerical offline optimization and validation using wave tank testing of three industry partners? WEC devices, including CalWave, Ocean Energy, and Resolute Marine Energy. These industry partnerships allowed us to identify optimal control strategies for these different WEC topologies at different maturity levels. Phase II focused on demonstrating an integrated control system on a custom-built prototype for at-sea testing. A secondary focus during phase II is to adapt our systems identification, controls and wave-prediction frameworks to become more robust and comprehensive in respect to capability, robustness, and reliability. RE Vision Consulting leads this project and has compiled the final public domain report included in this submission.

Spreadsheet which provides estimates of reductions in Levelized Cost of Energy for a surge-mode wave energy converter (WEC). This is made available via adoption of the advanced control strategies developed during this research effort.

Input data and heave results (unsteady RANS-VOF overset simulations performed in Star-CCM+) for a float with an ellipsoid geometry. Five extreme sea states were considered, as detailed in the conference paper "Application of the Most Likely Extreme Response Method for Wave Energy Converters" by Quon et al. (see resource below). These sea states were extrapolated from conditions near Humboldt Bay, California. Focused waves were generated using the MLER module of the Wave Design Response Toolbox (WDRT) and specified at the inlet boundary conditions. The device was constrained to heave only and a PTO was not modeled.

This archive contains the MATLAB code for the model predictive control (MPC) controller developed in this project. The archive containing the WaveDyn models used for analysis of the Centipod with the MPC controller is linked in this submission.

Final Technical Report for "Advanced Controls for the Multi-pod Centipod WEC device" describing project parameters, organization, task activities, accomplishments, and conclusions. See other submissions under this DOE project for economic viability, design geometry, and modeling.

Numerous studies have shown that advanced control of a wave energy converter's (WEC's) power take off (PTO) can provide significant increases (on the order of 200-300%) in WEC energy absorption. Transitioning these control approaches from simplified paper studies to application in full-scale devices remains an open and extremely challenging problem will be central to creating economically competitive WECs and delivering clean renewable energy to the US electrical grid. The Advanced WEC Dynamics and Controls project is targeted on assisting WEC developers to apply novel control systems for their devices and thus achieving major increases in performance and economic viability. The success of any control strategy is based directly upon the availability of a reduced-order model with the ability to accurately capture the dynamics of the system with sufficient accuracy. A model-scale WEC was designed and fabricated for use in studies to advance the state-of-the-art in WEC controls. This test, which is the first in a series of planned tests, focused on system identification (system ID) and model validation.

Quarterly Technical Report for "Advanced Controls for the Multi-pod Centipod WEC device" describing project parameters, organization, task activities, accomplishments, and conclusions. See other submissions under this DOE project for economic viability, design geometry, and modeling. The purpose of this quarterly report is to release a progress report immediately, while the final report and remaining project items await release before the moratorium date.

Data from Advanced Laboratory and Field Arrays (ALFA) Non-linear Ocean Waves and Power Take-Off (PTO). Control Strategy project conducted at the O.H. Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory (HWRL) at Oregon State University in 2019/2020. Contains two zip files (ALFANL.zip, ALFANL2.zip) from two phases of testing with data in engineering units and a report detailing the testing. This data collected by HWRL. A readme file in the docs folder explains the data collection and format. Six zip files (foswec-1 to foswec-6) data recorded by the Floating Oscillating Surge Wave Energy Converter (FOSWEC). Data organized by date and time and report describes data. A test report (ALFA Non-linear Ocean Waves Test Report.docx) details the experiments and data recording.