Video: Control systems for tidal and wave energy converters

The European Technology and Innovation Platform for Ocean Energy (ETIP Ocean) has released a recording of the webinar that explored the relation of control systems and performance of marine energy converters.

The webinar gave a brief introduction to the theory of control systems, including a look at their use in other sectors, before investigating how such systems can be applied to the ocean energy sector.

Also, it provided insights into the application of control to the marine energy sector with focus on optimization of power production and overall economics.

Control systems for wave and tidal energy converters act to optimize power production and reduce stress and fatigue on components by allowing devices to adapt to changing ocean conditions, according to ETIP Ocean.

Ross Henderson, Senior Consultant Engineer at wave energy company Quoceant, gave a presentation during the webinar, along with Jochen Bard and Boris Fischer of the Fraunhofer institute for Wind Energy and Energy System Technology.

The presentations were followed by a discussion session at the end, which is also included in the webinar recording.

ETIP Ocean is managed by Ocean Energy Europe and the University of Edinburgh. It is regarded as an advisory body to the European Commission.