HAPIWEC - Progress Update on the Remote-Lab for Rapid Testing of Non-Linear Controllers for Wave Energy Converters

This paper highlights advances in a remotely accessible wave energy system designed for efficient control testing which aims to accelerate the development and demonstration of advanced control algorithms for wave energy converters. A major challenge in this field has been the lack of appropriate bench testing tools for rapid prototyping and validation of nonlinear control strategies. To address this, the HAPiWEC project has developed a remote-laboratory framework that enables real-time testing of novel control approaches under realistic conditions. This work details the progress of the remote-lab setup, its capabilities, and preliminary results from its application in wave energy converters control research. The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the platform in facilitating rapid development and validation of advanced control strategies, contributing to the broader goal of making wave energy more commercially viable. Future efforts will focus on refining control strategies and expanding collaborative testing at the FloWave facility.