Wave Energy Sensor Network Background Research Report | ECE 441, Study Guides, Projects, Research of Electrical and Electronics Engineering

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Wave Energy Sensor Network

Background Research Report

Group 9

David Frederic, EE

David Mondou, CPE

David Doel, ECE

Eric Moon, EE

Revision History

Date Change Description Author

10-18-06 Creation of document Group (all)

Fig.1 Data Flow

teams can decide to pull the buoy offline if heat related problems occur. Voltage and current sensors will collect data from each of the three output phases of the generator, and will be used to calculate the total power output. To monitor buoy motion and position, an accelerometer will be installed and will give information as to how the buoy is physically heaving in the wave. Data on the buoys motion can then be used for optimizing the generator to achieve improved efficiency. Unlike other buoy designs, which are not necessarily focused on optimal efficiency, the research OSU is carrying out with their direct drive prototype can produce efficiencies up to 90%[2]. Our teams sensor network is an essential component for the larger overall wave energy system, and will provide the necessary feedback to the main wave energy team, so that their goals of top efficiency can be met.

In order to process the raw sensor signals into meaningful data, the signals must first be wired to the input module (see Fig. 1). Our team is currently looking at using the DAQ Master MX110, which is directly compatible with the next stage of processing. The input module is a terminal block type device that allows for the connection of multiple analog signals, which it then routes to the Data Acquisition Unit (MW100). The DAU can then send out the processed data to the wireless transmitter in the Excel or ASCII formats, which can then be received and displayed in a browser for remote monitoring.

Table 1: Competative Analysis

Name

Manufacturer

Type of system

Structure

Stage

Power Output per device

Communications

Technolgies used

Other Specifics

PowerBuoy

Ocean PowerTechnologies

Power generation

Buoy

Prototypes installed

Up to 40kW

NA

Mechanical

Pelamis

Ocean PowerDelivery LTD

Power/monitoring

Hinged Floats

One unit deployed, Inproduction

Up to 750kW

Wired

Hydraulics

DART

NDBC

Conditionmonitoring

Buoy

Deployed

NA

Satellite

NA

Real time monitoring

DCMS

BMT

Conditionmonitoring

NA

Deployed on oilplatforms

NA

Wired

Cape Wind

Cape WindAssociates LLC

Power generation

Wind Turbine

Postponed due toregulatory/environmentalissues

Up to 3.6MW

NA

Offshore wind farm

AquaBuOY

Aqua EnergyGroup LTD

Power generation

Buoy

In design and permittingof 1MW demo plant

Between 80kW and 250kW

NA

Peltin Wheel

Seagen

Marine CurrentTurbines LTD

Power generation

Ocean CurrentTurbine

Design and locationassesment

Up to 300kW

NA

Mechanical

Offshore turbinefarm

WaveRider

DataWell

Conditionmonitoring

Buoy

Deployed

NA

Wireless, RF

RF transmitter

Real time data,transfer, GPSlocator, 50km range

design. These buoys are deployed and in active use in both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

The Cape Wind project is an offshore wind farm developed by Cape Wind Associates LLC. The project is still in the permitting stages and is projected to begin construction around 2010. The Cape Wind team has installed a meteorological data tower on Horseshoe Shoal, in Nantucket Sound, which is the proposed site of the Cape Wind project[7]. One of the large disadvantages to the Cape Wind Project is that the towers are visible to land, being hundreds of feet tall. Other environmental issues have come up, and whether the project will actually be installed is questionable.

The BMT Deep Current Monitoring System (DCMS) is a device that shows current intensity and trends that can be seen on any networked computer. Information is distributed across the network at a platform, and can be sent through a derrick mounted gps and uhf antenna. BMT designs systems for stationary platforms, pipe-laying vessels, and supply vessels[6]. For this reason, all of their equipment is extremely large, and completely unusable in any sort of buoy.

The AquaBuOY, designed by AquaEnergy Group, is a unique design that uses two chambers to compress seawater and force it through a pelton wheel. The strength of this design is that it only uses seawater as a fluid, preventing contamination from leaks in the traditional hydraulic designs[8]. The AquaBuOY is only in the demonstration phase, though, but is planning on finishing design and permitting for a 1MW plant by the end of 2006.

Seagen, by Marine Current Turbines LTD, is a different type of renewable ocean energy technology that uses a fixed pole underwater that has propellers turned by the ocean currents[9]. The project is only in the R&D phase right now, so how viable this kind of wave energy is in reality is still to be determined.

The WaveRider by Datawell is an ocean condition monitoring buoy. It uses a variety of communication systems including HF, GSM, and satellite. The buoy is designed to monitor ocean conditions such as wave height, wave direction, and water temperature[10]. It uses an internal data logger to capture and store data. This system does much of the same tasks we are asked to do for the wave generator. It is an all-in-one system for the WaveRider buoys, though, so the product does not apply to our design for the wave generator buoys.

Feature Set

Our Wave Energy monitoring system will consist of the DAQ Master MX110- UNV-M10.

• Various input and output modules of superior insulation.
• Reinforced insulation o Withstand 2700 Vrms for one minute or 600 Vrms/VDC continuously.
• Operating temperature range from -20 to 60 degrees Celsius. o DC power supply 12-28 V.
• Optional Modules include: o Universal input modules. DC voltage, thermocouple, 3-wire RTD, DI (non-voltage contact, Level(5 V logic)) and mixed input allowed. o 4-wire RTD and Resistance Input Module. DC voltage, 4-wire RTD, 4-wire resistance, DI (non-voltage contact, Level(5 V logic)) and mixed input allowed. o Strain input modules.
  Built-in bridge resistance of 120 ohm.
  Built-in bridge resistance of 350 ohm.
  For connection with an external bridge head and strain gauge type sensor (NDIS connector). o 5 volt Digital Input Module
  Non-voltage contact, open collector and level (5 V logic), mixed input allowed. o 24 volt input modules.
  Level (24 V logic), Vth = 12 Volts. o Analog output module.
  Allows mixed voltage (+/- 10 Volts) and current (4- milliamp) output. o PWM output module. o Digital output module.
  “A” contact (SPST).
• Base plates to accommodate 1 to 6 modules.
• Measure and save data to a Compact Flash Card. A 1 GB card will record 60 at 100ms for 4.8 days.
• Data transfer either online or offline from a dial up phone connection. All MW100 web browser-based data monitoring and FTP functions can be used via this connection for remote data acquisition applications.
• Measured data can be viewed using Viewer Software
• Data conversion to Excel, Lotus or ASCII format.
• Multiple PC connections at the same time.
• Expandable to 360 channels using multiple MW110s and standard MODBUS TCP Ethernet communications. o 60 built-in measure channels. o 300 channels of external data from additional MW100.

[1] Dr.von Jouanne. The Power of Teamwork: Creating energy from ocean

Available: http://engr.oregonstate.edu/news/ar/2005/waveenergy.html

• waves. Last Updated: 6-8-
• [2] Wave Energy Buoy, Popular Mechanics, Oct2005, Vol. 182, Issue 10, p84- Last consulted: 10/15/06.
• [3] Ocean Power Technologies, Last updated: 9-21-
• Available: http://www.oceanpowertechnologies.com/ Last consulted: 10-18-
• [4] Ocean Power Delivery, Last updated: 8-29-
• Available: http://www.oceanpd.com/default.html Last consulted: 10-18-
• [5] National Data Buoy Center Last updated: 10-18-
• Available: http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/dart.shtml Last consulted: 10-18-
• [6] BMT Scientific Marine Services, Last updated: 5-17-
• Available: http://www.scimar.com/ Last consulted: 10-18-
• [7]Cape Wind, Last updated: 10-18-
• Available: http://www.capewind.org/ Last consulted: 10-18-
• [8] Aqua Energy Group, Last updated: 10-18-
• Available: http://aquaenergygroup.com/ Last consulted: 10-18-
• [9] Marine Current Turbines, Last updated: 7-30-
• Available: http://www.marineturbines.com/home.htm Last consulted: 10-18-
• [10] Datawell BV, Last updated: 10-18-
• Available: http://www.datawell.nl/inhoud.php?id=1 Last consulted: 10-18-
• [11]Yokogawa Electric Corporation. Data Acquisition Unit, MW

Naming Conventions Used

GPS – Global Positioning System GSM – Global System for Mobile communications