The CEORL project uses reinforcement learning (RL)  to learn good control policies for several classes of wave energy converters (WECs).  The policy has been learnt in simulations of a WEC, and then transferred to a real WEC where further learning can occur.  Control policies are specific to the class of WEC, but the RL algorithms that learn them are not.

The CEORL project has the potential to overcome the following challenges for WEC control:

• Absence of adequate models: model-predictive control is only as good as the model, and it needs bespoke development for each device type.  Model-free RL does not require a model.
• Need for wave-by-wave control: Sophisticated wave-by-wave control could improve the economic viability of WECs by balancing competing requirements of high and low loads.  Large capture widths require large forces, however, large forces increase operational costs due to both peak and fatigue loads.  Finding the correct balance between these competing requirements is likely to lead to the lowest LCOE.  RL will be rewarded for learning control policies that trade-off these competing requirements to find policies that give the lowest LCOE.