Noncausal explicit model predictive control of wave energy converters

• Explicit model predictive control is applied to wave energy converters for the first time. • The proposed control provides optimal solution but with low computational burden. • Explicit model predictive control meets the real-time requirements. • A validation based on realistic waves is undertaken. Wave energy is a promising renewable energy source, but its commercial utilisation is low compared to wind and solar energy. This paper proposes an explicit model predictive control (EMPC) strategy to reduce the high computational burden associated with online computation. Realistic wave data collected from the coast of Cornwall, UK, together with realistic single-point absorber parameters, are utilised. The dynamic response of the floating system is controlled, and a disturbance observer and an autoregressive model are designed for wave prediction. This paper aims to identify the most effective strategy to achieve optimal trajectory tracking, rapid prediction, efficient optimisation, and maximum energy capture. The results of numerical simulations show impressive effects of trajectory tracking, wave prediction, and maximum energy capture, with rapid prediction and low computational demand. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed EMPC method in wave energy converters (WECs).