Power Conversion and Control for a Low Speed, Permanent Magnet, Direct-Drive, Wave Energy Converter

The study describes a power electronic conversion and control scheme for a 8.5 kW, multi-coil, linear, permanent magnet, air -cored generator for direct-drive wave energy conversion developed for a wave energy Test Rig developed for the New & Renewable Energy Centre at Blyth, Northumberland. The proposed scheme is justified against the requirements implied by the features of the linear generator design. Simulation and preliminary test results are presented.