LAUSR

Abstract This study presents the results of the Fuzzy Logic based control application for a heaving wave energy converter operating in realistic sea-state conditions. It has been shown in literature that the power capture performance of a heaving wave energy converter depends on meeting the resonance condition with the incident wave frequency. In regular sea wave conditions, the task of setting the control parameters is a well-known easy task where the wave frequency is known. However, in irregular sea conditions, the wave frequency needed for control settings is not clearly defined. One of the approaches proposed in literature is to use of the dominant wave frequency that can be estimated by a model using the Discrete Fourier Transform approach. The presented model utilises the estimated wave frequency in Fuzzy Logic controller for determination of Power Take-Off control settings. This approach combines widely used fast tuning technique with a new slow tuning method. As a part of the study, the developed realistic simulation model and proposed Fuzzy Logic based controller are used to combine the fast and slow tuning techniques to form a novel hybrid control technique. The simulation results for this new control technique in realistic sea conditions are presented.