Experimental Validation of a Kinetic Energy Harvester Device for Oceanic Drifter Applications

A Kinetic Energy Harvester (KEH) device under design for drifter applications has been tested at real sea conditions in a controlled area. The KEH consists on a pendulum system capable to transform the oscillations of the waves into rotation which will be converted into electrical energy thanks to a dc micro generator. The KEH has been placed inside a drifter. First, the motion of the drifter was obtained through an embedded Inertial Measurement Unit, showing natural pendulum frequency of 1.5 Hz. Simulations with OrcaFlex validate the experimental results. Then, the rotation speed of the micro generator was measured. Results show a prevalence of speed of 1400 rpm, which should lead to a potential power output of 2 mW.