Hydro-electromechanical modeling of TENG-based wave energy converter

Abstract

Reliable and cost-effective self-powered marine monitoring buoys are essential for the advancement of the marine Internet of Things. Existing solar-powered systems face limitations in energy availability and high costs for large-scale applications. This work presents a triboelectric nanogenerator-based wave energy converter that harnesses ocean waves to generate electricity. The device combines a heaving point absorber, a mechanical motion rectifier, and a rotary triboelectric nanogenerator, enabling consistent power output under varying wave conditions. We develop a comprehensive hydro-electromechanical model incorporating viscous drag, stick-slip friction, and resistive shunt damping, and analyze the nonlinear dynamics using a hybrid frequency- and time-domain approach. Results reveal that friction-induced stick-slip motion strongly influences performance, with energy output peaking at two widely spaced wave periods. Optimizing triboelectric sector number, friction, and gear ratio improves both power output and operation smoothness. These findings provide critical insights into the design of cost-effective, efficient, and lightweight wave-powered systems for marine monitoring applications.