Optimal switching control of an absorber ocean wave energy device

This paper concerns the preliminary study of a point absorber ocean wave energy converter. A simple floating double-link device oscillates under the wave effect and the power take-off system is a system, which acts like a friction torque. The control consists in locking/unlocking the link, which is connected to the power take-off system. The response of the system to the waves is enhanced and therefore the production of energy is raising. This type of control represents switching between two structures of the system. Optimal switching control consists in determination of optimal sequence of switching times (lock/unlock). Constrained parametric optimization is used to get optimal sequence, considering state jumps, which appear at the instants of locking the movement. Then, comparisons of power absorption are presented with and without control in regular ocean waves.