Oscillating column and triboelectric nanogenerator for ocean wave energy

This paper investigated energy harvesting from ocean waves using an oscillating column (OC) and a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). First, preliminary tests were conducted for a TENG fabricated using copper alloy or pure copper and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tape. Then, an OC was designed and built with the pure copper TENG, which was tested previously. The final design was tested in a tow tank with a wave maker to demonstrate the OC–TENG system under simulated ocean waves. The study examined different parameters that influenced the power generation, i.e., the voltage of alternative currents, in order to determine what parameters are critical to higher power generation.