A Wave-to-wire Global Optimal Control Strategy for Networked Power Systems With a Wave-energy Converter Array

In this paper, a wave-to-wire global optimal control framework for a networked wave-energy converter array (WECA) power system is presented. For the proposed framework, a distributed global optimal control method considering maximum wave energy harvesting and optimal power dispatch (OPD) is developed in the WECA system for precise power output. First, the WECA including G-type and S-type nodes is modeled, and the corresponding model predictive control (MPC) and primary control strategy are developed to maximally harvest the wave energy and to accurately track the dispatched reference power. Second, a distributed OPD method integrating convex optimization and consensus is proposed to actively regulate each energy storage (ES) unit and to manage the power system to satisfy the specified power output reference. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed control method is investigated and analyzed by semi-physical hardware-in-loop simulation tests. The results of the experiments demonstrate that the power system output matches with the specified power demand, and indicate reliable performance.