Nonlinear control design for wave energy converters

The Centre for Ocean Energy Research (COER) at Maynooth University, Ireland has an opportunity for well-qualified applicants interested in undertaking a research degree at PhD level, starting early 2016. A fully-funded 4-year structured PhD studentship, together with adequate travel funding, etc. is available.

A variety of control algorithms have been developed for wave energy devices (WEDs), which provide optimal load force signals for a WED, given current and future knowledge of the excitation force on the device. However, many WED control algorithms are based on linear models, which rely on a linearising assumption, which is rarely satisfied in the case of WEDs, where the objective is to exaggerate the device motion.

This project, in close partnership with Prof. Alessandro Astolfi’s control group in Imperial College London, will examine the possibility of nonlinear control design using moment assignment for WED energy conversion maximisation.

The successful candidate will join a major Science Foundation Ireland project entitled “Development of the next generation of controllers for wave energy devices”, which has a total team count of 7 dedicated researchers, covering hydrodynamic modelling, system identification and control design, in addition to the topic of this PhD project. That project exists within a wider COER group of 16 researchers and has a range of international academic and industrial collaborators, including Prof. Alain Clement (EC Nantes), Prof. Frederic Dias (UCD), Prof. Alessandro Alstolfi (Imperial College), Prof. Marta Molinas (NTNU), Ocean Power Technology (US) and the Wave Energy Corporation of America (US).

Candidates should be well-qualified academically to bachelors (preferably H1) or masters level. The project will require a mix of skills, including mathematical modelling, programming and simulation skills, with a focus on the development of novel control algorithms for wave energy devices. Applicants with backgrounds in mechanical, mechatronics and electrical/electronic engineering, applied mathematics or control systems are especially suitable, though other areas such as fluid mechanics, hydrodynamics, etc may also be considered. Candidates must have excellent written and oral communication skills and programming ability. Some experience of hydrodynamics and/or wave energy is an advantage, but is not essential.

Further information on COER is available at: http://www.eeng.nuim.ie/coer/

or contact Prof. John Ringwood ([Email Address Removed]), Tel: +353 1 708 4766