In the vast, untapped expanse of the world’s oceans, a new frontier in renewable energy is taking shape. Marine current turbines (MCTs), designed to harness the kinetic energy of ocean currents, are emerging as a promising technology. However, the intermittent nature of marine currents poses significant challenges to the stable operation of these turbines when connected to the grid. Enter Asit Mohanty, a researcher from the Institute of Power Engineering at UNITEN, who has developed an innovative solution to enhance the reliability and efficiency of MCTs.
Mohanty’s research, published in the journal Scientific Reports, focuses on integrating Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) with MCTs. This combination, coupled with an intelligent event-triggered Sliding Mode Control (ETSMC) system, aims to revolutionize the way marine renewable energy is managed and utilized. “The key to this technology lies in its ability to continuously monitor the grid and turbine conditions in real-time,” Mohanty explains. “This allows for precise control of active and reactive power flow, ensuring grid stability during transient events.”
The ETSMC system acts as the brain of the operation, using a sophisticated event trigger mechanism to assess the grid’s status and the turbine’s performance instantaneously. This real-time nonlinear control technique optimizes the performance of the SMES, making it an invaluable asset for maintaining voltage stability in marine renewable energy systems. “By effectively regulating the power flow, we can significantly improve the transient voltage stability, making marine current turbines a more reliable source of renewable energy,” Mohanty adds.
The practical implications of this research are profound. As the world seeks to diversify its energy sources and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, marine current turbines offer a sustainable and abundant alternative. However, their intermittent nature has been a barrier to widespread adoption. Mohanty’s work addresses this challenge head-on, paving the way for more stable and efficient marine renewable energy systems.
The resilience of the system was tested in real-time using a dSPACE-DS1104 board connected to an experimental laboratory bench. The results were promising, with a comprehensive analysis showing both quantitative and qualitative improvements. This success story is just the beginning. As the technology matures, it could reshape the energy landscape, making marine current turbines a more viable and attractive option for energy providers and consumers alike.
The integration of SMES and ETSMC in MCTs is not just about improving voltage stability; it’s about building a more resilient and sustainable energy future. As Mohanty’s research demonstrates, the key to unlocking the full potential of marine renewable energy lies in innovative control systems and energy storage solutions. As the energy sector continues to evolve, technologies like these will play a crucial role in shaping a cleaner, more reliable energy landscape.
