Control and system design of wave energy converters

Abstract: The magnitude, consistency, and predictability of the power carried in ocean waves has attracted the eyes of inventors and engineers for more than two centuries, and yet competitive wave energy converters (WECs) have still not been developed. This presentation critically examines fundamental design drivers for WECs to achieve economic viability and, based on these factors, presents a framework for WEC control and system design (“control co-design”). Linear frameworks are explored to gain new intuition into the fundamental WEC design problem and numerical tools capable of handling nonlinear dynamics are briefly introduced.

Bio: Ryan Coe received a B.S. degree in Ocean Engineering (2009) and a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering (2013), both from Virginia Tech, and he subsequently joined Sandia National Laboratories’ Water Power Technologies group in 2013. Ryan’s research focuses primarily on wave energy converters (WEC) modeling, testing, control, and design. Ryan is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering, the Journal of Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering, and the Journal of Ocean Engineering and Marine Energy and an Editorial Board member for Energies.

*** This Event will take place in a hybrid format. The location for in-person attendance will be room 1311 EECS. Attendance will also be available via Zoom.

Join Zoom Meeting: https://umich.zoom.us/j/96731875637

Meeting ID: 967 3187 5637

Passcode: XXXXXX (Will be sent via e-mail to attendees)

Zoom Passcode information is also available upon request to Kristi Rieger([email protected])