Presented to the Senior High School Department

Future Generation Philippine International School

Second Semester, A.Y. 2018-2019

In partial fulfillment

of the learning area

CAPSTONE PROJECT

Portable Mini Generator Through Wave Energy

Submitted by:

Sinogba, Vincent Ivan Kyle P.

Biscarra, Daryl M.

XII – Dorado

Submitted to:

Gerald B. Eborde
Portable Mini Generator Through Wave Energy

Chapter I - Introduction

Background of the Study

Our energy production is dependent mostly on nonrenewable resources like coal or

petroleum. It is inevitable that, at some point in time, they will run out, and as we reach

that point, the cost would increase with it as well. With the increase of cost comes more

people who do not have electricity. That is why there has been a focus on renewable

energy. Renewable energy is energy collected from renewable resources, like solar and

wind energy, and hydro and wave power. These are already in use, but not all of them are

necessarily affordable for the masses, as the technology is relatively new and will take

some time for new developments that will cause the prices to go down.

The portable wave energy mini generator is based from how energy is collected

from waves, a form of renewable energy, minimized and made portable. More specifically

it was inspired by a project from National Geographic where they placed a turbine in the

edge of a port and made electricity from that. Making the machine requires little cost, and

most of the materials needed are accessible. It is a temporary solution to those that

immediately needs energy. The energy it produces cannot compare to the energy produced

by generators or other machinery for harnessing renewable energy, but it is enough for

simple electronics that requires low amount of electricity to work, like LEDs.
Portable Mini Generator Through Wave Energy

Statement of the Problem

Nonrenewable sources of energy are just that, nonrenewable. And as they slowly

decrease, the price for energy increases, making it less accessible. That is why we must

focus more on the different forms of renewable energy that can be very affordable and

accessible.

Objectives of the Project

This study aims to develop a portable generator through wave energy with the

following specific objectives:

• To determine possible machinery that the device can power;

• To measure its energy output;

• To determine how long the machine can last;

Significance of the Study

The portable generator can provide energy to those who live-in far-off places, as

well as those who just cannot afford energy since it can easily be made and requires little

cost. The energy produced will be relatively small, but it should be enough for certain needs

of the people.
Portable Mini Generator Through Wave Energy

Scope and Delimitation

The study is limited by the skill and knowledge of the researchers with regards to

mechanics and electronics. The research is also limited by the time, money, and locations

available to the researchers. The portable mini generator is also limited to single devices,

unlike the traditional generators which have the capacity to power a plethora of devices.
Portable Mini Generator Through Wave Energy

Chapter II – Review of Related Literature and Studies

2.1. Review of Related Literature

2.1.1. Non-Renewable Energy Sources

Non-renewable energy is the most used resource for powering

cities. It is classified as such due to the time it takes to produce the sources

of non-renewable energy. Almost all non-renewable energy sources, oil,

natural gas and coal are fossil fuels, except for uranium.

2.1.1.1. Oil and Petroleum Products

Oil (known in the industry as crude oil) is a fossil fuel

refined into petroleum products, such as gasoline, jet fuel, waxes,

and other products. Oil is taken from oil wells, and from there, is

brought to oil refineries for processing into usable products.

2.1.1.2. Natural Gas

Natural gas, formed from the buried remains of plants and

animals from 100 million years ago, is collected from natural gas

wells and processed for usage, usually in heating and cooking.

Processing natural gas involves removing water vapor, non-

hydrocarbon compounds, and even NGL (natural gas liquids),

which is sold separately.

Portable Mini Generator Through Wave Energy

2.1.1.3. Coal

Coal is a non-renewable energy resource, and is taken from

coal deposits, using two methods to do remove coal from these

deposits: surface mining and underground mining. Coal is often

used in the industry in the production of energy and steel, and can

even be converted into liquid and gaseous synthetic fuels.

2.1.1.4. Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy involves the usage of uranium, the most

common fuel for nuclear plants, and nuclear fission, where atoms

are split apart to create energy. Nuclear fusion can also be done to

release energy from uranium. Uranium ore is mined and refined

first before being used as fuel for nuclear reactors.

2.1.2. Renewable Energy Sources

As Earth’s non-renewable energy sources continue to be used,

more and more countries resort to renewable energy. The most common

renewable energy sources are biomass, solar energy, wind energy, and

geothermal energy.

2.1.2.1. Biomass
Portable Mini Generator Through Wave Energy

Biomass refers to organic material, specifically from plants

and animals, such as wood, crops, organic wastes, and manure,

which can be used as fuel. There are four different types of

biomass, namely:

• Solid biomass, like wood, which can be used directly as

fuel;

• Gaseous biomass, or biogas is formed from decomposing

paper, food scraps, and yard wastes;

• Ethanol, formed from crops, like corn and sugarcane, and;

• Biodiesel, mainly formed from vegetable oils, can be used

as fuel for vehicles.

2.1.2.2. Solar Energy

Solar energy, as the name implies, is derived from the sun’s

rays and used as thermal energy, especially for heating, and

electricity. Solar energy is collected by solar photovoltaic systems,

or solar cells, and is not harmful to the environment. However,

solar energy is various and intermittent, and requires large amounts

of solar cells to collect a big amount of energy.

2.1.2.3. Wind Energy

Wind can be collected by wind turbines and used as energy,

but it requires careful planning and usage of resources to maximize

Portable Mini Generator Through Wave Energy

efficiency, since wind speeds are not consistent all throughout the

world. Wind energy is most efficiently collected from wind

turbines on top of hills, open plains, and mountain gaps.

2.1.2.4. Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is the heat produced by the earth, and is

used to heat up buildings and generate electricity. Geothermal

power plants use both geothermal and hydrothermal resources to

produce energy, as they require steam to run.

2.1.2. What is Wave Energy and How Wave Energy is converted to

Electricity?

Wave energy is a renewable source of energy taken from ocean or

sea waves. This energy can be taken from wave energy generators or wave

devices, which are usually planted on bodies of water near land, especially

coasts, like the North America west coast. Reliable wave energy

generators are the wave energy converters, which are essentially power

stations (Rinkesh, n.d.).

2.1.3. Wave devices

According to the European Marine Energy Center (n.d.), there are

several wave devices, or wave energy converters, that can be used to

generate wave energy. Eight main types of wave devices have been

identified by the EMEC, and these are:

Portable Mini Generator Through Wave Energy

• Attenuator

• Point absorber

• Oscillating wave surge converter

• Oscillating water column

• Overtopping/terminator device

• Submerged pressure differential

• Bulge wave

• Rotating mass

2.1.4. Wave Energy Pros and Cons

Shah (2011) presented various advantages and disadvantages of

wave energy. He stated that the advantages of wave energy are minimal to

no pollution, no fuel cost, and size advantages. However, the

disadvantages outnumber the advantages, the disadvantages being slow

and immature development of wave energy technology, and intermittent

weather and its effects.

2.2. Review of Related Studies

2.2.1. A review of wave-energy extraction

Falnes (2007) states:

Comparing ocean-wave energy with its origin, wind energy, the

former is more persistent and spatially concentrated. In this paper wave
spectrum parameters related to transport, distribution and variability of
wave energy in the sea are reduced. Many different types of wave-energy
converters, of various categories, have been proposed. It is useful to think
Portable Mini Generator Through Wave Energy

of primary conversion of wave energy by an oscillating system as a wave-

interference phenomenon. Corresponding to optimum wave interference,
there is an upper bound to the amount of energy that can be extracted from
a wave by means of a particular oscillating system. Taking physical
limitations into account, another upper bound, for the ratio of extracted
energy to the volume of the immersed oscillating system, has been
derived. Finally, the significance of the two different upper bounds is
discussed.

Waves that hit all coasts worldwide, according to Falnes (2007),

have a power potential of 1 TW. Global wave power input would be more

than the power potential, specifically 10 TW, if wave energy is taken from

open oceans.

2.2.2. Wave energy in Europe: current status and perspectives

The economical status of wave energy in Europe, according to

Clement, et al. (2002), must face difficulties, which are corrosive

environment, as the technology is supposed to be installed in water and

may run the risk of being corroded, extreme weather conditions, and

random power outputs. As for the technological status of wave energy,

there are a lot of wave energy conversion techniques patented in Japan,

North America, and Europe.

2.2.3. Feasibility of Developing Wave Power as a Renewable Energy Source

for Hawaii

Developments have been made in wave energy, and one product

from these developments is the LIMPET (Land-Installed Marine-Powered

Portable Mini Generator Through Wave Energy

Energy Transformer), which offers modular construction and simple

operation. Several companies invested in wave energy have also made

developments in wave energy conversion. A few of these companies are

the now-closed Wavegen, Energetech, and OPT (Ocean Power

Technologies, Inc.), which had a contract with the U.S. Navy to test its

wave energy conversion at the Kaneohe Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Portable Mini Generator Through Wave Energy

Chapter III - Methodology

The Subject of the study

The focus of the study would be the capabilities of the portable mini generator, whether it

can power devices like lights or some chargers. There will also be emphasis on the

electricity produced by the portable generator which will be compared to other sources of

energy, to test its efficiency.

Materials and Procedure

Procedure
Gather Materials

Make the portable

generator

Test the portable

generator’s voltage
output with testers

Change amount of Change speed of

water, and identify if it motion, and identify
affects voltage if it affects voltage

Test if the portable

generator works on
electrical devices

Analyze data
Portable Mini Generator Through Wave Energy

Materials

Buckets [plastic] (One bigger in diameter, one that fits exactly in the bigger bucket)

Propeller [from tin cans] (Made by hand)

Dynamo [sourced from old RC cars]

Wires [copper]

Water [any kind]

Figure 1.1 Product diagram

Portable Mini Generator Through Wave Energy

As seen in figure 1.1 the propeller which has a dynamo attached to it will be

attached inside the tube which will then be attached to the smaller bucket that will be

modified to fit the tube exactly. The smaller bucket would be placed inside the bigger

bucket which contains water. When the smaller bucket is moved, small waves will be

produced which would then in turn produce air to turn the propeller which produces

electricity through the movement of the dynamo.

Method of Collecting Data

The data will be gathered through multi testers to determine the actual charge the

portable generator will produce, as well as tested with devices that require electricity. It

will also be compared to other sources of energy to test its efficiency. All data collected

will be tabulated, and the measures of central tendency will be used, the mean, median,

and mode, to identify the results needed. Specific methods include:

Testing the portable generator’s voltage

- Acquire the testers needed

- Pump the smaller bucket

- Attach the tester to the dynamo and measure the voltage

- Acquire mean of results

With change in speed of motion

Portable Mini Generator Through Wave Energy

- Acquire the testers needed

- Increase the speed of the pumping motion.

- Decrease the speed of the pumping motion

- Measure voltage with the testers in both instances

Testing if the portable generator works on electrical devices

- Acquire devices like LED’s and power banks

- Attach the wires from dynamo to the devices

- Observe whether the devices work or not

- Tabulate the results

Portable Mini Generator Through Wave Energy

Chapter IV Results and Discussion

Charge produced

Test no. Charge (in volts)

1 1.9

2 1.2

3 2.8

4 0.38

5 0.53

Working Devices

Devices Works? Yes/No

Light (LED) N/A

Light (Fluorescent) No

The charge per test was gathered through getting the mean of the volts every 3

seconds, this is because one whole pumping motion is approximately that time. The mini

generator could produce 1.3 volts on average, although there are moments when the mini

generator could reach up to 2 volts, and even up to 5.

Portable Mini Generator Through Wave Energy

With regards to the devices that was tested, the fluorescent bulb could not be lit up,

as its volt requirement cannot be reached by the mini generator. The researchers could not

find a suitable LED light for the research, as the only sources of such lights in Riyadh are

too far. Although with the results gathered, it could be determined that LEDs could be lit

up, as there are LEDs that either has the same or has a lower volt requirement to the volt

produced by the mini generator.

Figure 4.1

The figure above shows the set up used to gather the results.
Portable Mini Generator Through Wave Energy

With regards to the speed of motion, the researchers were able to determine that

with greater speed of the pumping action there is also more energy produced, and vice

versa. This is because of the core component of the mini generator, the dynamo. Its purpose

is to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy, of course with more mechanical

energy comes more electrical energy.

Portable Mini Generator Through Wave Energy

Chapter V – Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations

Summary

Wave energy, as a renewable source of energy, can be used to generate energy for

cities. In this study, the product created has been modified from a wave energy device to

be downgraded for general usage, like recharging batteries, or, with recycled products, in

poor households, especially those without electricity.

The product, which uses cheap materials, is a portable wave energy generator,

which utilizes a pumping motion to generate small waves, simultaneously pumping air to

the dynamo, the device’s mini generator.

As stated earlier, wave energy devices are underdeveloped, as investors focus on

more advanced renewable energy technologies, like solar energy, geothermal energy, and

wind energy.

Conclusion

There are several factors that have affected the final product, the most prominent

of these factors being the limited materials used in this (as the final product was made of

cheap and/or recycled materials) and the limited knowledge and development on wave

energy technology. As a result, the product could not provide sufficient charge for the

fluorescent light bulb. It has been determined, however, that the device could provide

sufficient charge for an LED light, since it requires either the same or less voltage to be

powered.
Portable Mini Generator Through Wave Energy

Recommendations

For future studies, the researchers recommend that a bigger dynamo be used, and

for other additions to the mini generator for convenience, like a handle or a lever, of the

pumping motion.
Portable Mini Generator Through Wave Energy

Bibliography

Classification of Resources: Renewable & Non-renewable with Examples. (n.d.). Retrieved

January 26, 2019, from Toppr: Learning app for classes 5th to 12th:
https://www.toppr.com/guides/evs/what-if-it-finishes/materials-resources-and-its-
classification/

Clement, A., McCullen, P., Falcao, A., Fiorentino, A., Gardner, F., Hammarlund, K., et al. (2002,
February 26). Wave energy in Europe: current status and perspectives - ScienceDirect.
Retrieved January 26, 2019, from ScienceDirect.com | Science, health and medical
journals, full text articles and books:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032102000096

Energy Information Administration. (2018, August 8). Nonrenewable Energy Sources - Energy
Explained, Your Guide To Understanding Energy - Energy Information Administration.
Retrieved January 26, 2019, from U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA):
https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/?page=nonrenewable_home

Energy Information Administration. (2018, July 13). Renewable Energy Sources - Energy
Explained, Your Guide To Understanding Energy - Energy Information Administration.
Retrieved January 26, 2019, from U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA):
https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/?page=renewable_home

European Marine Energy Centre. (n.d.). Wave devices : EMEC: European Marine Energy Centre.
Retrieved January 26, 2019, from EMEC: European Marine Energy Centre:
http://www.emec.org.uk/marine-energy/wave-devices/

Falnes, J. (2007, September 3). A review of wave-energy extraction - ScienceDirect. Retrieved

January 26, 2019, from ScienceDirect.com | Science, health and medical journals, full
text articles and books:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0951833907000482

Hawaii State Energy Office. (2002, January). Retrieved January 26, 2019, from Hawaii State
Energy Office: https://energy.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Feasibility-of-
Developing-Wave-Power-as-a-Renewable-Energy-Resource-for-Hawaii.pdf

Kukreja, R. (n.d.). What is Wave Energy and How Wave Energy is Converted to Electricity? -
Conserve Energy Future. Retrieved January 26, 2019, from Conserve Energy Future |
Your source for green and sustainable living, environmental news and information.

Shah, A. (2011, July 7). Wave Energy Pros and Cons - Tidal and Ocean Wave Power Still Nice
Technologies | Green World Investor. Retrieved January 26, 2019, from Green World
Investor | Our Passion - Green,Solar,India and Investing:
http://www.greenworldinvestor.com/2011/07/07/wave-energy-pros-and-cons-tidal-and-
ocean-wave-power-still-niche-technologies/
Portable Mini Generator Through Wave Energy

APPENDIX
Portable Mini Generator Through Wave Energy

SAMPLE TABLES

Results Table

Test no. Charge (in volts)

Results table

Devices Works? Yes/No

Light (LED)

Light (Fluorescent)
 Portable Mini Generator Through Wave Energy

Gantt Chart

February March April

Activity 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Gather
materials
Make device
Data collection
Paper Making
Defense

Figure 5.1 The Nat Geo Surf Power project

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAxBzI6DEkA