Abstract
A theoretical method is presented, called the energy-balance method, for maximising the energy extracted from a renewable energy converter in terms of determination of an optimal control. The method applies to control systems specified by linear graphs, and graph-theoretic techniques are employed. The method simplifies a number of optimal control problems by essentially expressing the performance objective — maximising energy extraction — in terms of an equivalent objective involving fewer variables, thereby reducing the complexity of the optimisation. As illustrated, in certain cases the optimal control problem may be reduced to one solvable by elementary calculus techniques. The theory is illustrated with examples from solar, wave and wind applications.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 100582 |
| Number of pages | 19 |
| Journal | Renewable Energy Focus |
| Volume | 50 |
| Early online date | 30 May 2024 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 30 Sept 2024 |
Funding
Chris Guiver\u2019s contribution to this work has been supported by a Personal Research Fellowship from the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE). Chris Guiver expresses gratitude to the RSE for the financial support.
Keywords
- Linear graph modelling
- Optimal control
- Photovoltaic (PV) solar energy
- Wave energy
- Wind energy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
