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Nonlinear Model Predictive Control Using Real-Time Iteration Scheme for Wave Energy Converters Using WEC-Sim Platform: Preprint
Lead Companies
NREL
Lead Researcher (s)
- Nathan Tom
One of several challenges that wave energy technologies face is their inability to generate electricity cost-competitively with other grid-scale energy generation sources. Several studies have identified two approaches to lower the levelized cost of electricity: reduce the cost over the device’s lifetime or increase its overall electrical energy production. Several advanced control strategies have been developed to address the latter. However, only a few take into account the overall efficiency of the power take-off (PTO) system, and none of them solve the optimization problem that arises at each sampling time on real-time. In this paper, a detailed Nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) approach based on the real-time iteration (RTI) scheme is presented, and the controller performance is evaluated using a time-domain hydrodynamics model (WEC-Sim). The proposed control law incorporates the PTO system’s efficiency in a control law to maximize the energy extracted. The study also revealed that RTI-NMPC clearly outperforms a simple resistive controller.
Technology Application
Marine Energy
Research Category
Research Sub-Category
Status
complete
Completion Date
2022
- Conventional Hydro
NPD Development Opportunities Assessment
Lead Companies
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
Lead Researcher (s)
- Scott DeNeale (denealest@ornl.gov)
This project will build on previous ORNL efforts to perform non-powered dam (NPD) resource assessment, classification research, and cost analysis. The project objective is to help identify the most promising development opportunities for NPDs in the US. We will do this by (1) assessing characteristics which influence NPD feasibility; (2) developing statistics-based groupings of NPDs based on multi-variate, multi-objective analysis; and (3) making preliminary determinations of feasibility based on available data.
Technology Application
Conventional Hydro
Research Category
Research Sub-Category
Status
ongoing
Completion Date
TBD
- Marine Energy
Numerical modeling of a two-body point absorber featuring variable geometry
Lead Companies
NREL
Lead Researcher (s)
- David Ogden
This work presents a novel wave energy converter (WEC) device concept that incorporates variable geometry modules into a two-body point absorber type WEC. The variable geometry modules consist of air inflatable bags in the surface float and a water inflatable ring in the reaction body. The variable geometry floats are able to provide greater control over the device hydrodynamics; they can be inflated or deflated to emphasize either power absorption or load shedding. The device geometry is controlled in a quasi-static fashion, while the power take-off (PTO) unit is controlled on a wave-to-wave timescale. The surface float is tethered directly to the submerged reaction body through PTO tether lines. A linear time-domain analysis, conducted using open-source Wave Energy Converter (WEC-Sim) software, was used to estimate the absorbed power of the WEC in sea states defined by the Wave Energy Prize. WEC power performance was weighted against the expected capital cost of building the load bearing structure of the device, providing an estimated ACE value. The inclusion of the variable geometry modules was shown to be effective in altering the device geometry to improve power capture with a near proportional increase in expected costs, providing a nearly constant power-to-cost ratio.
Technology Application
Marine Energy
Research Category
Research Sub-Category
Status
complete
Completion Date
2022
- Marine Energy
Ocean Observation Prize
Lead Companies
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Lead Researcher (s)
- Molly Grear
Water Power Technologies Office is developing a prize competition called the Powering the Blue Economy: Ocean Observing Prize (Ocean Obs Prize). This prize seeks new ideas and new technologies to reduce energy limitations for ocean observing, by extending range or duration of observations, reducing operational costs, or enabling entirely new data streams that will lead to better understanding of the ocean environment. The prize is a core element of the Powering the Blue Economy Initiative. PNNL will collaborate directly with NREL and WPTO to provide technical expertise to design, support, and execute the prize.
Technology Application
Marine Energy
Research Category
Technology
Research Sub-Category
Buoy
Status
ongoing
Completion Date
TBD
- Conventional Hydro
Operation of Hydro Generators with Bypassed Stator Coils – Phase 2
Lead Companies
CEATI International
Lead Researcher (s)
- #0379B
This guide will provide recommendations for temporary winding repairs in order to return generator back into operation. The guide will include methods to assess the consequences in the case of the bypassed damaged stator winding coils.
Technology Application
Conventional Hydro
Research Category
Powerhouse Equipment
Research Sub-Category
Generator
Status
ongoing
Completion Date
Expected 2020
- Conventional Hydro
Operational Alternative Evaluation for the 2014/2024 Columbia River Treaty Review in a Participatory Modeling Framework
Lead Companies
University of Idaho
Lead Researcher (s)
- Mark Cecchini-Beaver
Basin-scale water resource management entails consideration of competing— sometimes conflicting—operational goals and constraints. In the Columbia River Basin, legal, social, technological, and ecological changes suggest a need for a collaborative process to devise and select new water management strategies. Computer modeling for decision support offers a compelling method for using hydrologic simulation models as tools for engaging stakeholders in the process of envisioning, testing, and evaluating novel operational alternatives. This study details the process of developing a daily timestep simulation model of the mainstem Columbia and Kootenay Rivers and integrating the results of a survey to create operational alternatives that implement stakeholder priorities for river management. These alternatives are then modeled over a sixty-nine year period of record and compared to each other and a Base Case scenario using a suite of performance measures that provide information related to flood control, hydropower, instream flow, recreation, navigation, and shoreline goals. A key result of this comparison is that coordinated management of Canadian storage facilities can improve downstream ecological flow objectives at the cost of hydropower generation and certain shoreline objectives at Canadian reservoirs. Distributive and integrative solutions to these tradeoffs are proposed as potential opportunities to reshape the transboundary management regime of the Columbia River Treaty.
Technology Application
Conventional Hydro
Research Category
Regulatory Management Process
Research Sub-Category
Water Management
Status
complete
Completion Date
2013
- Conventional Hydro
Operational time series aggregated data set
Lead Companies
Hydropower Research Institute
Lead Researcher (s)
- HRI Technical Steering Committee
This fundamental ongoing HRI project is focused on aggregating operational data from generating units for all HRI participants. Current participants represent 40% of the US hydropower capacity. This data set will be used to support digital transformation efforts for HRI participants and licensees, and to support collaborative HRI research projects.
Technology Application
Conventional Hydro
Research Category
Powerhouse Equipment
Research Sub-Category
Status
ongoing
Completion Date
TBD
- Marine Energy
Opportunities and Challenges for Industrial Water Treatment and Reuse
Lead Companies
NREL
Lead Researcher (s)
- Kurban Sitterley
- David Greene
As the impact of water scarcity in the United States (U.S.) continues to grow through the 21st century, it is critical to develop strategies to reduce water use and improve the security of water resources. One such strategy is to diversify the sources from which water is supplied. Industrial withdrawals represent the fourth largest category of U.S. water use, the majority of which is sourced from fresh surface and groundwater. In this study, we critically explore the potential of industrial wastewater to serve as an alternative water resource through direct treatment and reuse. We begin by reviewing the state of the art of water use, treatment, and reuse across six representative industries: food and beverages, primary metals, pulp and paper, petroleum refining, chemicals, and data centers and campuses, highlighting key challenges and opportunities toward the expansion of reuse. We then employ a technoeconomic assessment of water treatment processes to analyze the capital investment, operating and maintenance costs, levelized cost of water, and electricity consumption of three specific industrial plants as case studies to better understand where research can promote impactful innovation. Finally, drawing together the results of our literature review and technoeconomic analyses, we provide a broad outlook on the future of industrial water reuse and discuss strategies for its expansion.
Technology Application
Marine Energy
Research Category
Research Sub-Category
Status
complete
Completion Date
2020
- Conventional Hydro
Optimization and Commercialization of the juvenile eel/Lamprey Tag
Lead Companies
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Lead Researcher (s)
- Daniel Deng
Technology Application
Conventional Hydro
Research Category
Environmental and Sustainability
Research Sub-Category
Fish and Aquatic Resources
Status
ongoing
Completion Date
TBD
Don’t see your waterpower research?
Have questions about WaRP?
Contact Marla Barnes at: marla@hydro.org