Wave Energy Predictive Control via Convex Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wave energy systems face inefficiencies in energy conversion due to lack of optimal control methods that account for energy conversion efficiency and wave motion prediction, leading to suboptimal energy recovery and high computational complexity.
Innovation Solution
A predictive control method that constructs dynamic and energy models to maximize energy generation by discretizing and weighting an objective function using the trapezoidal rule, allowing for efficient computation and real-time implementation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If model predictive control with wave motion prediction is used to optimize energy recovery, then energy conversion efficiency is improved, but computational complexity increases making real-time implementation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the original non-convex quadratic objective function into a strictly convex quadratic programming problem by changing the parameterization approach. This allows the use of efficient convex optimization algorithms that can solve the problem in real-time while maintaining optimal energy recovery performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and separates the computationally intensive non-convex optimization component from the control system. By reformulating the problem as a convex quadratic programming problem, it removes the computational bottleneck while preserving the essential control functionality for optimizing wave energy recovery.
2Power
If non-convex quadratic objective function optimization is used to maximize power generation, then energy recovery is optimized, but computation time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical non-convex optimization process with a mathematical transformation that converts the problem into a convex quadratic programming formulation. This allows the use of efficient numerical algorithms that compute solutions much faster while achieving the same power generation optimization goals.
3Power
If converter machine control accounts for energy conversion efficiency, then electrical power production is maximized, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameterization of the control problem by reformulating the objective function in terms of convex quadratic programming variables. This transformation maintains the ability to maximize electrical power production while simplifying the control system structure to use efficient standard optimization algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides improvement of the operation of a wave energy system by use of a method for predictive control (COM) of the converter machine that maximizes the energy generated by considering the energy conversion efficiency (MOD ENE) and a wave prediction (PRED). Furthermore, the method according to the invention determines the optimal control by minimizing an objective function weighted and discretized by the trapezoidal rule.