Optimal Semi-Active Control for a Hybrid Wind-Wave Energy System on Motion Reduction

Integration of wave energy converters and floating wind turbine can potentially reduce the levelized cost of energy. The coupling effects between the wave energy converters and the foundation, however, could amplify the foundation motion so that both the efficiency and the fatigue life of wind turbine would be degraded. In this study, wave energy converters are designed as a controlled suspension system for a novel hybrid wind-wave energy system, and an optimal semi-active control method having predictive ability is proposed for reducing the foundation motion. In the controller design, the physical constraints and the passivity of the wave energy converters are also taken into consideration. A full numerical model taking account of aero-hydro-servo-mooring coupled dynamics is proposed for a comprehensive analysis of the controller under various environmental conditions. Numerical results show that the foundation motion can be reduced by 16% even in very rough sea states with the help of the controller.