Modelling and verification of the dynamics of an ocean current energy converter
| dc.contributor.advisor | Van Niekerk, J. L. | en_ZA |
| dc.contributor.advisor | Von Backstrom, J. W. | en_ZA |
| dc.contributor.author | Graaff, Simon | en_ZA |
| dc.contributor.other | Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering. | en_ZA |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2015-01-13T11:48:42Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2015-01-13T11:48:42Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2014-12 | en_ZA |
| dc.description | Thesis (MScEng) -- Stellenbosch University, 2014. | en_ZA |
| dc.description.abstract | ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa has a signi cant potential resource for electrical power generation in the Agulhas Current on the southeast coast. The Ocean Current Energy Convertor studied in this project was designed to generate power from this current. The feasibility of this device was investigated by analysing the dynamic stability and controllability of the convertor, when acted upon by hydrodynamic forces while harvesting energy from the current. A simulation model was developed to predict the dynamic behaviour using the Simulink software suite. A scale model of the prototype was built and tested in the Towing Tank at Stellenbosch University, and the experimental results were compared against the simulation results. A control algorithm was designed, using the mathematical model, to control the roll angle and deployment depth. The control algorithm was tested in simulation. The results indicated that the simulation model accurately predicted the behaviour of the prototype in testing, and results showed that the device is both stable and controllable. It was concluded that this OCEC design concept warrants further investigation. The recommendations are that the experimental model be improved to ensure reliable experimental results, that further complexity be added to the simulation model, and that the control algorithm be tested on the improved prototype in the towing tank. | en_ZA |
| dc.description.abstract | AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Agulhas-seestroom aan die suidooskus van Suid-Afrika bied 'n aansienlike potensiële hulpbron vir elektriese kragopwekking. Die seestroomenergieomsetter (SEO) wat in hierdie projek bestudeer is was ontwikkel om krag uit hierdie seestroom te genereer. Die doenlikheid van hierdie toestel is ondersoek deur die dinamiese stabiliteit en beheerbaarheid van die omsetter onder die invloed van hidrodinamiese kragte te analiseer terwyl dit energie van die stroom inwin. 'n Simulasiemodel is met behulp van Simulink-sagteware ontwikkel om die dinamiese gedrag te voorspel. 'n Skaalmodel van die prototipe was gebou en in die sleeptenk by Universiteit Stellenbosch getoets en die eksperimentele resultate met die simulasie se resultate vergelyk. 'n Beheer-algoritme is daarna ontwerp, deur middel van die wiskundige model, om die rolhoek en diepte van ontplooiing te beheer.Hierdie algoritme is tydens simulasie getoets. Die resultate het aangedui dat die simulasiemodel akkuraat die gedrag van die prototipe tydens toetse voorspel het, en die resultate het gewys dat die toestel beide stabiel en beheerbaar is. Die gevolgtrekking is gemaak dat die SEO se ontwerpkonsep verdere studie regverdig. Die aanbevelings is dat die eksperimentele model verbeter word om betroubare eksperimentele resultate te verseker, dat verdere kompleksiteit by die simulasiemodel gevoeg word, en dat die beheer-algoritme op die verbeterde model in die sleeptenk getoets word. | af_ZA |
| dc.format.extent | xv, 110 p. : ill. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/95945 | |
| dc.language.iso | en_ZA | en_ZA |
| dc.publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University | en_ZA |
| dc.rights.holder | Stellenbosch University | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Ocean energy resources | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | C-Plane | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Marine Turbines | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Electric power generation | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Energy conversion | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Theses -- Mechanical engineering | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Dissertations -- Mechanical engineering | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | UCTD | |
| dc.title | Modelling and verification of the dynamics of an ocean current energy converter | en_ZA |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_ZA |