High-frequency current source converter for a direct drive powertrain in a wave energy converter

Wave energy converters (WECs) generally use a mechanical solution such as hydraulics or gearing to optimise the extraction of energy from the incoming waves prior to converting it into electrical energy via a high-speed rotating generator. This simplifies the electrical power conversion system (EPCS...

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Main Authors: Stephen P. McDonald, Nick J. Baker, Volker Pickert
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2019-04-01
Series:The Journal of Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:https://digital-library.theiet.org/content/journals/10.1049/joe.2018.8061
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author Stephen P. McDonald
Nick J. Baker
Volker Pickert
author_facet Stephen P. McDonald
Nick J. Baker
Volker Pickert
author_sort Stephen P. McDonald
collection DOAJ
description Wave energy converters (WECs) generally use a mechanical solution such as hydraulics or gearing to optimise the extraction of energy from the incoming waves prior to converting it into electrical energy via a high-speed rotating generator. This simplifies the electrical power conversion system (EPCS) design and facilitates the use of mechanical energy storage such as springs, compressed air, or hydraulic accumulators. The naturally peaky nature of the WEC power can thus be reduced and there is potential to tune the resonant frequency of the WEC. The potential design of a current source converter (CSC) for an integrated low-speed direct-drive power take-off (PTO) for a WEC is described here. Silicon carbide (SiC) devices which enable high switching frequencies with a beneficial reduction in passive component dimensions are considered. Issues such as fault tolerance, protection, and parasitic inductance are investigated leading to an improved layout proposal.
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spelling doaj.art-284c0bc3cc9b4b78a6885bf6679942be2022-12-21T18:34:58ZengWileyThe Journal of Engineering2051-33052019-04-0110.1049/joe.2018.8061JOE.2018.8061High-frequency current source converter for a direct drive powertrain in a wave energy converterStephen P. McDonald0Nick J. Baker1Volker Pickert2Newcastle UniversityNewcastle UniversityNewcastle UniversityWave energy converters (WECs) generally use a mechanical solution such as hydraulics or gearing to optimise the extraction of energy from the incoming waves prior to converting it into electrical energy via a high-speed rotating generator. This simplifies the electrical power conversion system (EPCS) design and facilitates the use of mechanical energy storage such as springs, compressed air, or hydraulic accumulators. The naturally peaky nature of the WEC power can thus be reduced and there is potential to tune the resonant frequency of the WEC. The potential design of a current source converter (CSC) for an integrated low-speed direct-drive power take-off (PTO) for a WEC is described here. Silicon carbide (SiC) devices which enable high switching frequencies with a beneficial reduction in passive component dimensions are considered. Issues such as fault tolerance, protection, and parasitic inductance are investigated leading to an improved layout proposal.https://digital-library.theiet.org/content/journals/10.1049/joe.2018.8061power convertorswave power plantswave power generationpower transmission (mechanical)silicon compoundshigh-frequency current source converterdirect drive powertrainwave energy convertermechanical solutionelectrical energyhigh-speed rotating generatorelectrical power conversion system designmechanical energy storageWEC powerlow-speed direct-drive powerhigh switching frequencies
spellingShingle Stephen P. McDonald
Nick J. Baker
Volker Pickert
High-frequency current source converter for a direct drive powertrain in a wave energy converter
The Journal of Engineering
power convertors
wave power plants
wave power generation
power transmission (mechanical)
silicon compounds
high-frequency current source converter
direct drive powertrain
wave energy converter
mechanical solution
electrical energy
high-speed rotating generator
electrical power conversion system design
mechanical energy storage
WEC power
low-speed direct-drive power
high switching frequencies
title High-frequency current source converter for a direct drive powertrain in a wave energy converter
title_full High-frequency current source converter for a direct drive powertrain in a wave energy converter
title_fullStr High-frequency current source converter for a direct drive powertrain in a wave energy converter
title_full_unstemmed High-frequency current source converter for a direct drive powertrain in a wave energy converter
title_short High-frequency current source converter for a direct drive powertrain in a wave energy converter
title_sort high frequency current source converter for a direct drive powertrain in a wave energy converter
topic power convertors
wave power plants
wave power generation
power transmission (mechanical)
silicon compounds
high-frequency current source converter
direct drive powertrain
wave energy converter
mechanical solution
electrical energy
high-speed rotating generator
electrical power conversion system design
mechanical energy storage
WEC power
low-speed direct-drive power
high switching frequencies
url https://digital-library.theiet.org/content/journals/10.1049/joe.2018.8061
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AT volkerpickert highfrequencycurrentsourceconverterforadirectdrivepowertraininawaveenergyconverter