Sliding mode and fuzzy logic control for heaving wave energy converter

This paper proposes two control strategies for controlling the heaving wave energy converter (WEC): sliding mode control (SMC) and fuzzy logic control (FLC). The two methods are implemented to maximize the absorbed energy of the heaving WEC. This can be achieved by designing the control laws so that the buoy´s velocity follows its reference. The two control strategies are tested using actual polychromatic ocean wave. The control strategies consider the physical limitation of the control force and the buoy´s elevation. Finally, the performances of the two control methods are tested and compared in the nominal and perturbation scenarios.