Stanwood High School, Stanwood
First Place, Technological Challenge
Saratoga Project
One form of alternative energy is ocean wave energy, an energy source relatively undeveloped in the world of research. Our engineering project focuses on the development of an ocean wave energy converter using pendula. The pendular differential drive systems that we developed can convert pendular motion to electricity with the use of direct current generators. These pendular differential drive systems are part of an energy collection barge that we built. Our barge also includes the ability to collect wind speed data from an anemometer and voltage data from the generators and an auxiliary solar panel. An XBee wireless communication system transmits the voltage and wind speed information to our base module situated on shore. The collected data is then imported to the computer program Matlab for graphing and analyzing purposes. Energy harvested using our pendular differential drive system could be used to supply power onshore or recharge electrically powered boats.
“You are setting the pace — the dynamic — for a better and brighter future.”
—Elson S. Floyd, Ph.D.
President, Washington State University