Charles Parsons Ocean Energy AwardElectrical Group

Dr. Sara Armstrong, Judy ReaBeaufort, Environmental Research Institution, University College Cork, Ireland

CONTACTS

Beaufort ResearchUniversity College CorkCorkIreland

+353 (0)21 425 0021

beaufortresearch@ucc.ie

• Many types of ocean energy devices have a linear power take off system.

• ¼ scale linear test rig to emulate the linear motion induced by the waves.

• Device developers bring their scaled prototypes

• Device prototypes characterisation and analysis, and stress testing.

Conn Rotary Test Rig

• Permanent Magnet machine with resolver feedback directly coupled to an induction machine with encoder feedback.

• High power and speed operation (9,000 rpm, 11 kW)• Full regenerative capability • Ethernet connectivity, as well as the HBM torque sensor.• DC power supply allows flexibility of power flows.

• Dual-bus three phase 400 V system• Generation, storage and load elements (lagging

and leading power factor)• Operates in parallel with local grid or as islanded

system. • 33 kVA diesel generator • Ocean Energy Convertor Emulator• 5 kWhr lithium ion battery storage

Scaled rotational test-rig for: • Generator type selection (Permanent Magnet SG,

Wound Rotor IG, Squirrel Cage IG)• Control strategy design and optimisation• Power quality analysis. • Islanded operation• Direct- and indirect-connection to the grid.

WHAT ARE THE OCEAN ENERGY ELECTRICAL GROUP’S ACTIVITIES? Within Beaufort, the Beaufort Electrical Group research interests include:

• Electrical power take-off methods and control laws• Grid integration of offshore energy• Intra-array electrical design and analysis• Power quality studies• Electrical design issues specific to ocean energy. • The electrical group has experience in building and testing electrical

systems for sea trials and also operate a range of electrical and energy storage test infrastructure.

The group is led by Judy Rea and Dr. Sara Armstrong who are funded under Charles Parsons Initiative (06/CP/E003)

Overview

MaREI Activities

Electrical Test InfrastructureAodh

Rotary Test RigFiachra

Linear Test RigMicrogrid

Projects

Companies and developers may avail of our test infrastructure and our expertise to carry out early stage research, proof of concept and advanced electrical optimisation. ****** If you would like to use these facilities, please contact Judy Rea. J.rea@ucc.ie ******

FP7 Marina PlatformCombined wind and wave platform development, including development and testing of concepts, wave-to-wire modelling and electrical system design.

ExpertiseFP7 DTOceanFp7 collaborative project aiming to accelerate the industrial development of ocean energy power generation, and providing design tools for deploying the first generation of wave and tidal energy converter arrays.

SeagridGrid integration and dynamic modelling tool for generic wave and tidal energy devices. Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation project.

FP7 MaRINETNetwork for European marine test and development infrastructures providing funded access for developers and researchers to test facilities all over Europe at all scales from concept through to full scale.

US Wave Farm DesignPower quality models, and the development of logistical and best management protocols for a proposed wave farm off the cost of Oregon, U.S.

FP7 CORES New device components and concepts were tested during sea trials on a ¼ scale floating OWC. Additional work included verified wave-to-wire simulations, and onshore testing of the electrical system using the Conn Test Rig before the device was deployed.

Dynamic ModelsBeaufort have extensive knowledge in modelling ocean energy devices in DIgSILENT Power Factory, in addition to Matlab and Simulink. Models can be used to explore power flow and to examine responses to weak grids and grid fault conditions. Dynamic Models are a Irish Grid Code Requirement for the connection of Wind Turbines and the same is expected for ocean energy devices.

Energy StorageThe pulsating nature of wave energy causes difficulties which can be mitigated by the use of device level storage. Our expertise in the area of super-capacitors and lithium ion batteries.

Microgrid StudiesThe flexible microgrid infrastructure enables research in a wide range of disciplines relating to microgrids. Communication and control, back-syncing, power quality issues, fault current tolerances and balance issues can all be explored.

Electrical PTO ControlControl laws can greatly alter the performance of an ocean energy device. We have experience in building and optimising, realisable, implementable control laws for different types of devices, particularly the floating Oscillation Water Column.

Charles Parsons Research Fellows

Ocean Energy Electrical Group(led by CP Fellows but funded elsewhere)

Team Leads

CPI Activities

Charles Parsons Initiative MaREI

Build international

reputation

Diversify funding sources

Support & advise SME

Essential to retain group knowledge and experience

2006

2015

2013

Today

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2016

2017

2018

2019

• International Standards (IEC TC114)

• Publications and Conferences

• H2020 collaborations

Build research

infrastructure• Over a million euro

investment• Infrastructure leverages

future funding• Infrastructure attracts

visiting researchers

• Investment from UTRC• FP7 and H2020• Enterprise Ireland

Commercialisation fund• Contract Research

• Enterprise Ireland Innovation Vouchers

• Available for advice• Direct contract

research

Build a

team• Eight years of historical

knowledge retained • 32 people have been

part of group• Visiting Postdocs and

Interns