Hybrid resonant wave energy harvesting buoy for sensor applications

An overview of a hybrid wave/solar energy harvesting buoy currently being developed by Electro Standards Laboratories (ESL) is presented here. Through previous work with the University of Rhode Island, a resonant-drive buoy system was designed, constructed and tested at sea. ESL has continued to improve upon the original resonant buoy design by incorporating a larger, more powerful linear electric generator with adaptive load control as well as the addition of flexible solar panels to capture a second source of renewable energy using a maximum power point tracking algorithm. Laboratory testing of the modified elements of the hybrid energy harvesting buoy have shown promising results. At sea field testing of the buoy is planned during the second half of 2013.