Hardware in the loop simulation of a dielectric elastomer generator for oscillating water column wave energy converters

Moretti, Giacomo; Rosati, Gastone Pietro Papini; Fontana, Marco; Vertechy, Rocco

doi:10.1109/oceans-genova.2015.7271571

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Here, in contrast, we propose for the first time coupling criteria which allow studying a diversity of scenarios, including the simulation of large DEG plants with several DEGs, whose dimensions generally differ from those of the tested physical samples. Moreover, compared to [17], the setup presented here marks a significant technological upscaling step, as it allows testing of Wattscale DEGs, consistently with the maximum scale reached to date by the DEG PTO technology.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 82%

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Hardware-in-the-loop simulation of wave energy converters based on dielectric elastomer generators

et al. 2021

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Dielectric elastomer generators (DEGs) are soft electrostatic generators based on low-cost electroactive polymer materials. These devices have attracted the attention of the marine energy community as a promising solution to implement economically viable wave energy converters (WECs). This paper introduces a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation framework for a class of WECs that combines the concept of the oscillating water columns (OWCs) with the DEGs. The proposed HIL system replicates in a laboratory environment the realistic operating conditions of an OWC/DEG plant, while drastically reducing the experimental burden compared to wave tank or sea tests. The HIL simulator is driven by a closed-loop real-time hydrodynamic model that is based on a novel coupling criterion which allows rendering a realistic dynamic response for a diversity of scenarios, including large scale DEG plants, whose dimensions and topologies are largely different from those available in the HIL setup. A case study is also introduced, which simulates the application of DEGs on an OWC plant installed in a mild real sea laboratory test-site. Comparisons with available real sea-test data demonstrated the ability of the HIL setup to effectively replicate a realistic operating scenario. The insights gathered on the promising performance of the analysed OWC/DEG systems pave the way to pursue further sea trials in the future.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 82%

“…A very preliminary and limited demonstration of HIL simulation for DEG-based OWCs was proposed in [17] by some of the authors of this contribution. In that work, however, consistent coupling between the hydrodynamic OWC model and the physical DEG driving interface was not addressed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hardware-in-the-loop simulation of wave energy converters based on dielectric elastomer generators

et al. 2021

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“…Such a model is based on previous work of some of the authors [30] and is composed of a hydrodynamic model of the OWC collector and a DEG-PTO electro-mechanical model, coupled through a simplified model for the air enclosed in the chamber. This modelling approach has been previously validated through wave-tank experiments and [31,40]. The three sub-sections that follow illustrate these models and provide details on the underlying assumptions and hypotheses.…”

Section: Dynamic Modellingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The variation of E e over a period is equal to the absorbed energy E a defined in Eq. (31). E e is constant during the expansion phases as the DEG electric field is null.…”

Section: Charging Phase: Membrane Charging Approximatelymentioning

confidence: 99%

Control of an oscillating water column wave energy converter based on dielectric elastomer generator

et al. 2018

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This paper introduces a model-based control strategy for a wave energy converter (WEC) based on dielectric elastomer generators (DEG), i.e. a device that can convert the energy of ocean waves into electricity by employing deformable elastomeric transducers with variable capacitance. The analysed system combines the concept of oscillating water column (OWC) WEC with an inflated circular diaphragm DEG (ICD-DEG). The device features strongly non-linear dynamics due to the ICD-DEG electro-hyperelastic response and the compressibility of the air volume comprised between the water column and the ICD-DEG, while the hydrodynamic loads can be approximated as linear. The optimal control solution that maximises the power extraction of the device is numerically investigated in the case of monochromatic waves over the typical frequency and amplitude ranges of sea-waves. The more realistic case of panchromatic waves is also analysed through the implementation, in simulation environment, of a real-time controller. This regulator is based on a simple sub-optimal control logic that is deduced from the monochromatic case. Performance of the proposed control strategy is illustrated in comparison with unoptimised algorithms.

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Modeling and Real-Time Simulation of Ocean Current Turbines for Grid Integration

Fung,

Tang,

VanZwieten

et al. 2023

2023 IEEE Power &Amp; Energy Society General Meeting (PESGM)

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Hardware in the loop simulation of a dielectric elastomer generator for oscillating water column wave energy converters

Cited by 3 publications

References 12 publications

Hardware-in-the-loop simulation of wave energy converters based on dielectric elastomer generators

Hardware-in-the-loop simulation of wave energy converters based on dielectric elastomer generators

Control of an oscillating water column wave energy converter based on dielectric elastomer generator

Modeling and Real-Time Simulation of Ocean Current Turbines for Grid Integration

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