System Analysis for Hydrostatic Transmission for Wave Energy Applications - Simulation and Validation

Wave Energy Converters (WEC) are used to transform energy stored in ocean waves into electrical energy. One type of WECs consists of buoyant bodies. To extract energy from their motion, hydraulic cylinders can be used to generate hydraulic power. For conversion into electric power various systems have been analysed in literature. However, the focus was put on efficiency and rigorous analyses of the system behaviour are still missing. In this paper an exemplary system consisting of two hydraulic cylinders, switchable check valves, accumulators and three motor-generator sets is analysed with help of simulation and measurement. This exemplary system is called WavePOD and was installed at the Institute for Fluid Power Drives and Controls (IFAS) of RWTH Aachen University together with Aquamarine Power and Bosch Rexroth for testing. In this paper the data collected during various test phases is used for system analysis and for validating the simulation. The simulation model is presented. The system’s response to various switching operations is investigated. Comparing the simulation with measurements validates the system`s dynamic model