On the Effective Implementation of Control Structures to Multi-DoF wave Energy Converters

Maximising energy output through advanced control strategies is pivotal for the economic viability of wave energy converters (WECs). However, most existing literature primarily focuses on theoretical case studies, where WECs are constrained to operate in a single degree of freedom (DoF). This simplification is made due to the added complexity of optimizing across multiple DoFs. In this study, we assess the necessity of incorporating multiple DoFs within the control framework, evaluating its effectiveness in a numerical simulation environment that replicates WEC performance across multiple DoFs. To provide a basis for comparison, we contrast the conventional PI controller with the innovative LiteCon controller. Our study reveals two key findings: (i) Single DoF control may suffice when the primary DoF of the power take-off system is accurately identified, and (ii) the straightforward LiteCon controller outperforms the traditional PI controller by a significant margin.