VP13-06 Optimizing Wave-Driven Electromagnetic Energy Harvesters: An Evaluation of Magnetic Configurations
Creators: Jungjin Park
Tadhg Martinez
Sean Jordon
Young T. Choi
Norman Wereley
and Alison Flatau
Publisher: name: IEEE
Year: 2025

With increasing concerns about global climate change, there is a growing emphasis on renewable energy sources. Wave energy, with a global potential of 2 terawatts, presents a significant opportunity for sustainable power generation [1], [2]. This research aims to design and fabricate a wave-driven electromagnetic energy harvester to capture low-frequency ocean waves (0.03 - 0.3 Hz), with a particular emphasis on optimizing performance through various magnetic configurations. The system harnesses wave energy through repulsive magnetic levitation, generating electricity using a levitating permanent magnet and a copper coil. External transferring magnets, influenced by the vertical motion of the waves, cause the levitating magnet to move [Fig. 1]. When the transferring magnets move the levitating magnet downward, it is repelled by the base magnet, causing the levitating magnet to rapidly ascend and generate electricity. As the waves move upward, the combined effects of gravity and magnetic repulsion lead to higher acceleration of the magnet, producing greater electricity. Experimental trials with a sine wave of 0.2 Hz demonstrated successfully induced voltage peaks at regular intervals [Fig. 2(a)]. The observed maximum output voltage was 2.4 V. The relative force between the transferring magnets and the levitating magnet is crucial, as it determines the repelling force between the levitating magnet and the base magnet. Four different configurations of the transferring magnets were tested, showing a correlation between the number of transferring magnets and power [Fig. 2(b)]. The tests with different wave frequencies produced varying average power outputs (0.08 - 0.12 W), indicating that the wave speed influences the levitating motion [Fig. 2(c)]. This research explores various magnetic configurations to optimize the harvester, including the strength of the transferring, levitating, and base magnets.References: [1] L. Buttel, “America’s electricity generation capacity,” American Public Power Association, (2023) [2] T. Thorpe, “A brief review of wave energy, technical report. no. r120,” Energy Technology Support Unit (ETSU), A report produced for the UK, Department of Trade and Industry, (1999)
With increasing concerns about global climate change, there is a growing emphasis on renewable energy sources. Wave energy, with a global potential of 2 terawatts, presents a significant opportunity for sustainable power generation [1], [2]. This research aims to design and fabricate a wave-driven electromagnetic energy harvester to capture low-frequency ocean waves (0.03 - 0.3 Hz), with a particular emphasis on optimizing performance through various magnetic configurations. The system harnesses wave energy through repulsive magnetic levitation, generating electricity using a levitating permanent magnet and a copper coil. External transferring magnets, influenced by the vertical motion of the waves, cause the levitating magnet to move [Fig. 1]. When the transferring magnets move the levitating magnet downward, it is repelled by the base magnet, causing the levitating magnet to rapidly ascend and generate electricity. As the waves move upward, the combined effects of gravity and magnetic repulsion lead to higher acceleration of the magnet, producing greater electricity. Experimental trials with a sine wave of 0.2 Hz demonstrated successfully induced voltage peaks at regular intervals [Fig. 2(a)]. The observed maximum output voltage was 2.4 V. The relative force between the transferring magnets and the levitating magnet is crucial, as it determines the repelling force between the levitating magnet and the base magnet. Four different configurations of the transferring magnets were tested, showing a correlation between the number of transferring magnets and power [Fig. 2(b)]. The tests with different wave frequencies produced varying average power outputs (0.08 - 0.12 W), indicating that the wave speed influences the levitating motion [Fig. 2(c)]. This research explores various magnetic configurations to optimize the harvester, including the strength of the transferring, levitating, and base magnets.References: [1] L. Buttel, “America’s electricity generation capacity,” American Public Power Association, (2023) [2] T. Thorpe, “A brief review of wave energy, technical report. no. r120,” Energy Technology Support Unit (ETSU), A report produced for the UK, Department of Trade and Industry, (1999)