Limits on the Range and Rate of Change in Power Take-Off Load in Ocean Wave Energy Conversion: A Study Using Model Predictive Control

Previous work comparing power take-off (PTO) architectures for ocean wave-powered reverse osmosis suggests that variable displacement in the wave energy converter (WEC)-driven pump does not offer a significant performance advantage. A limitation of study is WEC was subject to constant load within given sea state (“Coulomb damping”) and did account controlled, moment-to-moment variation PTO enabled by pump. This explores potential advantage over Coulomb damping. Model predictive control used provide optimal with constraints on load. The include minimum maximum loads limit rate adjustment. Parameter studies these enable conclusions about design requirements addition providing an estimated Numerical simulation Oyster 1 carried out weighted historical data from Humboldt Bay, CA. results show up 20% higher yearly-average absorption Additionally, parameter suggest should be adjustable down at least 25% between few seconds.