Application of the Latching Control System on the Power Performance of a Wave Energy Converter Characterized by Gearbox, Flywheel, and Electrical Generator

Abstract The latching control represents an attractive alternative to increase the power absorption of wave energy converters (WECs) by tuning phase oscillator velocity excitation phase. However, increasing amplitude motion floating body is not only challenge obtain a good performance WEC. It also depends on efficiency take-off system (PTO). This study aims address actual and operation heaving point absorber with direct mechanical drive PTO controlled latching. characteristics, such as gear ratio, flywheel inertia, electric generator, are analyzed in WEC performance. Three cylindrical absorbers considered present study. A wave-to-wire model developed simulate coupled hydro-electro-mechanical regular waves. converter (WEC) using potential linear theory but considering viscous damping effect according Morison equation avoid overestimated responses near resonance when applied. increases mean power. significant if parameters that characterize provide considerable proposed ratio flywheel. shows more influence than inertia. operating range generator diameter/draft buoy