Sustainable Energy Harvesting Mechanism for an Unmanned Underwater Vehicle

Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai, 600127, Tamil Nadu, India

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published online: 3 March 2026

Abstract

Increased demand for clean energy solutions along the coast led to this research work, which will attempt to design a small wave energy conversion system to produce electricity from ocean surface motion. Literature on wave behavior, marine energy systems, and the coastal conditions in Tamil Nadu was reviewed initially to determine primary design considerations. On this basis, three wing configurations were designed to transform wave-induced motion into rotational energy. These configurations were analyzed using static structural analysis in ANSYS, considering stress distribution and deformations due to wave and hydrostatic pressure. The most efficient design was incorporated into a mechanical setup that transforms wave energy into rotary motion and then into electrical energy. To project real-world performance, the entire system was simulated and modelled in MATLAB Simulink so that voltage and current output can be predicted based on real ocean wave conditions. The simulation confirmed that the chosen design is mechanically sound and capable of generating detectable electric output, proving the viability of micro-scale wave energy harvesting for coastal applications.