Real-Time Wave Energy Converter Control Using Instantaneous Frequency

Wave Energy Converters (WECs) rely on effective Power Take-Off (PTO) control strategies to maximize energy absorption under dynamic sea conditions. Traditional hydrodynamic modeling techniques may require computationally intensive convolution calculations, making real-time control implementation cha...

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Main Authors: Inyong Kim, Ted K. A. Brekken, Solomon Yim, Brian Johnson, Yue Cao, Pranav Chandran
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/9/4889
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author Inyong Kim
Ted K. A. Brekken
Solomon Yim
Brian Johnson
Yue Cao
Pranav Chandran
author_facet Inyong Kim
Ted K. A. Brekken
Solomon Yim
Brian Johnson
Yue Cao
Pranav Chandran
author_sort Inyong Kim
collection DOAJ
description Wave Energy Converters (WECs) rely on effective Power Take-Off (PTO) control strategies to maximize energy absorption under dynamic sea conditions. Traditional hydrodynamic modeling techniques may require computationally intensive convolution calculations, making real-time control implementation challenging. This paper presents an alternative approach by leveraging instantaneous frequency estimation to dynamically adjust PTO damping in response to varying wave frequencies. Two real-time frequency estimation methods are explored: the Hilbert Transform (HT) and Phase-Locked Loop (PLL). The Hilbert Transform method provides accurate frequency tracking but introduces a delayed response due to its dependence on causal data. Conversely, the PLL approach demonstrates strong potential in frequency tracking but requires careful gain tuning, particularly in complex sea states. Comparative evaluations across multiple test cases—including sinusoidal variations, amplitude steps, frequency step changes, and real-world JONSWAP spectrum waves—highlight the strengths and limitations of each method. The two different PTO control techniques across the various frequency estimation methods were tested under real-sea states using a state-space model of a point-absorbing Wave Energy Converter. The Capture Width Ratio (CWR) is used as a performance metric, with results showing that the HT achieves a 10.6% improvement, while the PLL estimation yields a 0.9% improvement relative to the fixed parameter control baseline. These results highlight the effectiveness of real-time frequency estimation in improving energy absorption compared to static control parameters.
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spelling doaj-art-9ee2cbcaff934c14a2e8c95c8313667b2025-08-20T02:24:47ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-04-01159488910.3390/app15094889Real-Time Wave Energy Converter Control Using Instantaneous FrequencyInyong Kim0Ted K. A. Brekken1Solomon Yim2Brian Johnson3Yue Cao4Pranav Chandran5School of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USASchool of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USASchool of Civil, Architectural & Construction Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USADepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78758, USASchool of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USADepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78758, USAWave Energy Converters (WECs) rely on effective Power Take-Off (PTO) control strategies to maximize energy absorption under dynamic sea conditions. Traditional hydrodynamic modeling techniques may require computationally intensive convolution calculations, making real-time control implementation challenging. This paper presents an alternative approach by leveraging instantaneous frequency estimation to dynamically adjust PTO damping in response to varying wave frequencies. Two real-time frequency estimation methods are explored: the Hilbert Transform (HT) and Phase-Locked Loop (PLL). The Hilbert Transform method provides accurate frequency tracking but introduces a delayed response due to its dependence on causal data. Conversely, the PLL approach demonstrates strong potential in frequency tracking but requires careful gain tuning, particularly in complex sea states. Comparative evaluations across multiple test cases—including sinusoidal variations, amplitude steps, frequency step changes, and real-world JONSWAP spectrum waves—highlight the strengths and limitations of each method. The two different PTO control techniques across the various frequency estimation methods were tested under real-sea states using a state-space model of a point-absorbing Wave Energy Converter. The Capture Width Ratio (CWR) is used as a performance metric, with results showing that the HT achieves a 10.6% improvement, while the PLL estimation yields a 0.9% improvement relative to the fixed parameter control baseline. These results highlight the effectiveness of real-time frequency estimation in improving energy absorption compared to static control parameters.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/9/4889WEC controlinstantaneous frequency estimationimpedance matchingcontrol optimizationmedian filter Hilbert transformphase-locked loop
spellingShingle Inyong Kim
Ted K. A. Brekken
Solomon Yim
Brian Johnson
Yue Cao
Pranav Chandran
Real-Time Wave Energy Converter Control Using Instantaneous Frequency
Applied Sciences
WEC control
instantaneous frequency estimation
impedance matching
control optimization
median filter Hilbert transform
phase-locked loop
title Real-Time Wave Energy Converter Control Using Instantaneous Frequency
title_full Real-Time Wave Energy Converter Control Using Instantaneous Frequency
title_fullStr Real-Time Wave Energy Converter Control Using Instantaneous Frequency
title_full_unstemmed Real-Time Wave Energy Converter Control Using Instantaneous Frequency
title_short Real-Time Wave Energy Converter Control Using Instantaneous Frequency
title_sort real time wave energy converter control using instantaneous frequency
topic WEC control
instantaneous frequency estimation
impedance matching
control optimization
median filter Hilbert transform
phase-locked loop
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/9/4889
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