Novel High Performance Wave Energy Converters with advanced control, reliability and survivability systems through machine-learning forecasting

NHP-WEC项目旨在推进与设备技术和WEC阵列海况预测相关的数据驱动监测和控制。拟议的研究是通用的，同时也为现有概念设备的开发做出了重大贡献，该设备已显示出潜力，即在兰开斯特大学（LU）开发和坦克测试的多轴TALOS。TALOS是一种新颖的多轴点吸收式，以1/100比例表示，具有固体外壳，包含所有活动部件（如潜艇或PS Frog风格的WEC设备）。内部PTO系统是由一个惯性质量与液压缸连接到船体。质量占设备的很大比例，因此当船体受到各种波浪运动的推动时，它会四处移动。球的运动带动液压缸，使它们通过回路泵送液压油。这种液压流体的流动被用来转动与发电机相连的液压马达，以产生电力，即惯性质量PTO方法。主要优点包括：闸板的布置允许质量球在多个方向上移动，允许从多个自由度捕获能量。液压油的流量会随着球的运动变化而变化，因此采用内部液压平滑回路来调节输出。最新的设计在波浪槽测试中被证明是成功的，PTO系统在响应波浪时变输入时产生平滑输出。此外，还开发了一个分析模型，将船体模型和液压钻机的数据结合起来，预测输出功率可达3.2 kW。然而，TALOS还处于非常早期的发展阶段，需要进一步的研究来提高其技术准备水平（TRL）。设计、开发、部署和操作诸如TALOS及其潜在的商业用途需要对海洋环境有全面的了解，包括在线监测以加强控制并结合预测。必须确定潜在的WEC部署地点和单个设备和阵列的能源资源。操作条件，包括波浪特性必须量化，以估计WEC上的动态载荷，这限制了制造及其实时运行。在这种情况下，由UoH与ORE弹射器和Orsted共同开发的SmartWave是一种能够通过机器学习从卫星图像中获得高分辨率海况条件的工具。主要优势：SmartWave基于一种新颖的预测方法，能够为海上风电场的运维物流部门解决海况问题。它综合了全天候卫星监测的最新进展，绘制和研究海面波浪特征的时空分布。然而，必须解决现有的限制，以提高WEC的TRL能力，从而充分利用这项新技术。例如，它已经发展到表征重要的波高，而为了提取其他海况参数，包括波高，方向和频率，还需要进一步的研究。尽管如此，由于它能够远程覆盖全球，而无需使用现场传感器，因此SmartWave具有独特的优势，可以根据设备的尺寸和规格选择合适的部署地点，以实现最佳的电力生产。NHP-WEC项目将WEC技术的关键方面与SmartWave的全球部署潜力结合在一起，将优化、控制、状态监测和资源预测等新方法整合在一起。这些进步将共同推动成本的降低，从而使开发商和投资者对波浪能技术的好处充满信心。

The NHP-WEC project aims to advance data-driven monitoring and control in connection to both device technology and sea state predictions for WEC arrays. The research proposed is simultaneously generic while also significantly contributing to the development of an existing concept device that has shown potential, namely the multi-axis TALOS that has been developed and tank tested at Lancaster University (LU). TALOS is a novel multi-axis point absorber-style built as a 1/100th scale representation, with a solid outer hull containing all the moving parts (like a submarine or a PS Frog style WEC device). The internal PTO system is made up of an inertial mass with hydraulic cylinders that attach it to the hull. The mass makes up a significant proportion of the device, hence it moves around as the hull is pushed by various wave motions. The motion of the ball moves hydraulic cylinders causing them to pump hydraulic fluid through a circuit. The flow of this hydraulic fluid is used to turn a hydraulic motor, which is coupled to an electrical generator, to generate electricity i.e. an inertial mass PTO approach. Key strengths include: The arrangement of the rams allows for the mass ball to move in multiple directions, allowing energy to be captured from multiple degrees of freedom. The flow of hydraulic fluid will change as the ball's motion changes, so an internal hydraulic smoothing circuit is utilised to regulate the output. The latest design has proven to be successful in wave tank testing and the PTO system yields a smooth output in response to time-varying inputs from waves. An analytical model has also been developed to combine data from the hull model and hydraulic rig, yielding a predicted power output of up to 3.2 kW. However, TALOS is at a very early stage of development and requires further research to advance its Technology Readiness Level (TRL). The design, development, deployment and operation of WECs, such as TALOS and their potential commercial use requires a holistic understanding of the marine environment, including on-line monitoring to enhance control combined with prediction. Potential WEC deployment sites and energy resource from single devices and arrays must be determined. Operational conditions, including wave characteristics must be quantified to estimate dynamic loads on WEC, constraining manufacturing and their real-time operation. In this context, SmartWave, developed by the UoH, with the ORE Catapult and Orsted, is a tool capable of deriving high resolution sea state conditions from satellite images using machine learning. Key strengths: SmartWave is based on a novel forecasting methodology, capable of resolving sea state within offshore windfarms for sector O&M logistics. It integrates recent advances in all-weather satellite monitoring to map and study the temporal and spatial distribution of sea surface wave characteristics. However, existing limitations must be addressed to advance the TRL of WEC capabilities and hence fully exploit this new technology. For example, it has been developed to characterize significant wave height, whilst further research is essential in order to extract other sea state parameters, including wave height, direction and frequency. Nonetheless, since it is capable of global reach remotely, without the use of in situ sensors, SmartWave is uniquely placed to identify the selection of appropriate deployment sites depending on the device size and specification, for optimal production of electricity.The NHP-WEC project brings together key aspects of WEC technology and the global deployment potential of SmartWave, allowing integration of novel methodologies across optimisation, control, condition monitoring and resource forecasting. These advances will together drive evidenced reductions in costs and hence provide confidence on the benefits of wave energy technology to developers and investors.