WEC Array Electro-Mechanical Drivetrain Networked Microgrid Control Design and Energy Storage System Analysis

The purpose of this paper is to investigate Wave Energy Converter (WEC) technologies that are required to transform power from the waves to the electrical grid. WEC system components are reviewed that reveal the performance, stability, and efficiency. These WEC system individual components consists of; control methods, electro-mechanical drive-train, generator machines, power electronic converters, energy storage systems, and electrical grid integration. Initially, the transformation of energy from the wave to the electric grid is explored in detail for an individual WEC system. A control design methodology is then presented that addresses high penetration of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and loads for networked AC/DC microgrid islanded subsystems. Both static and dynamic stability conditions are identified for the networked AC/DC microgrid system. Detailed numerical simulations were conducted for the electro-mechanical drivetrain system which includes; the dynamic responses, power generation for multiple wave conditions, and total efficiency of the energy/power conversion process. As a renewable energy scenario, the AC/DC microgrid islanded subsystem is employed to integrate an array of WECs. Preliminary Energy Storage System (ESS) power requirements are determined for the renewable energy scenario.