Coastal Currents

Background

Around 70% of the Earth’s surface consists of ocean water, and hydroelectricity only accounts for around 6% of the United States' energy utility. So, investment in hydroelectric energy production in the ocean environment would lead to higher energy sustainability and reduce climate change. Currently, ocean-wave energy generators are only being used in large scales, are extremely costly, and only add to major power grids. This leaves a sizeable number of potential consumers without a product to accommodate their needs. Specifically, coastal residents currently don't have the means to utilize small scale hydroelectric energy. The scope of Coastal Current's wave-energy generator is to prove that this novel form of power generation from ocean waves is feasible on a small scale.

Goals and Objectives

• Goals / Stakeholder Needs and Expectations

  • Minimum 30% efficiency

  • Generate enough electricity to power a mobile phone (5W)

  • $500 budget

  • Shipping box sized

  • Coastal residential usage 

• Milestones

  • 1/31/25 - Decision Matrix Developed

  • 2/7/25 - Prototype Design Chosen

  • 1/14/25 - Initial Design and Mockup

  • 1/21/25 - Initial Bill of Materials for Proof of Concept

  • 1/24/25-2/7/25 - Assembly and Manufacturing Begins

  • 2/14/25 - Proof of Concept for Winter Design Review

  • 5/2/25 - Version 1 Functionality Verification

  • 5/9/25 - Integrating Optimization Solutions

  • 6/6/25 - Completed Documentation

  • 6/6/25 - Final Showcase

Documentation

Problem Definition Presentation

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vQskTBD5oBuqgwIH_X9SjwffdME0TxQltdWn9doDipeIWm7dxiHBall16J7wo0PufellZO8s9cpBTVa/pub?start=false&loop=true&delayms=5000 

Preliminary Design Review Presentation

 https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vT0imzLSz2EcsWeUlE9hbCDLJ8bP1LEdzHXD-Z87QWWRgMAUzw6JiCu-04nBhNSJegXn51HMeuq6aYp/pub?start=false&loop=true&delayms=5000

Sponsor

Abdelrahman Elmaradny - aelmarad@uci.edu