Energy Harvesting to Increase the Autonomy of Moored Oceanographic Monitoring Stations

Device to increase energy autonomy of moored oceanographic monitoring stations. Oscillations and currents through the sea or river are used to produce energy when the whole system is submerged to a depth between 3 to 10 meters. In order to have an inexpensive system, a buoy containing a Linear Electromagnetic Generator (LEG), is fabricated in a 3D printer, using PLA (polylactic acid) filament. Inside of the buoy, one cylinder shaped LEG (98mm length and 25mm of diameter) produces a maximum output power of 20 mW with a 4 Hz movement. To increase power output in larger systems, more LEGs can be added.