Selection of the Electrical Generator for a Wave Energy Converter

Abstract

This paper presents the study accomplished to select the

electrical generator implemented on a new design of Wave

Energy Converter (WEC), identifying the key features that must

be taken into account when studying the feasibility of a power

plant for a given location and rated power. After introduced the

proposed WEC, a review of different solutions adopted by other

WEC system is presented. After an introduction of synchronous

and asynchronous generator families, their means of working

with variable speed and their capability to work connected to

grid or isolated is explained. Both of them can work with

variable speed, therefore the influence of selected generator in

the control strategy and the efficiency gain working with

variable speed is studied. The cost of the generation system and

the investment return of the facility play an active role when

selecting the generator system. After discussed their

characteristics advantages and influence in the efficiency, some

references will be given to take into account in the design

procedures to define a WEC system for a given location.