Maximum Power Point Tracking for Ocean Wave Energy Conversion

Many forms of renewable energy exist in the world's oceans, with ocean wave energy showing great potential. However, the ocean environment presents many challenges for cost-effective renewable energy conversion, including optimal control of a wave energy converter (WEC). This paper presents a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm for control of a point absorber WEC. The algorithm and testing hardware are presented in detail, as well as simulated and laboratory test results. The results show that MPPT applied to ocean wave energy is an effective and promising control strategy.