Mapping the U.S. Wind Energy Hype Cycle through Public Perception, Policy, Media, and Investment since 1970; Harvesting Wind Energy via the Triboelectric Effect

Over the past century, both the landscape of how energy and electricity is produced and how society views energy sources has changed. As the United States’ energy infrastructure has shifted partially from fossil fuels to alternative energy sources, such as wind energy, new technologies and changing public attitudes have played an important role in the pace of the transition. My technical capstone, Harvesting Wind Energy via the Triboelectric Effect, focuses on harnessing static electricity between two materials with opposite surface charges at low wind speeds. As these two materials repeatedly contact each other, creating voltage peaks, resembling alternating current (AC) voltage. My sociotechnical thesis, Mapping the U.S. Wind Energy Hype Cycle through Public Perception, Policy, Media, and Investment since 1970, inspects the history of wind energy in the United States through a number of different lenses. Both my technical and sociotechnical projects explore the role of wind energy within the energy transition from fossil fuels to alternative sources of energy in the U.S. While the technical capstone investigates a new method of generating energy at low wind speeds, my thesis discusses the sociopolitical and economic patterns that have shaped wind energy’s development and public perception over time.
Triboelectric energy harvesting utilizes material properties such the tendency to lose or gain electrons to generate electricity through repeated contact and separation of two materials with different electron affinities. These generators have the potential to create small-scale alternative energy sources at lower wind speeds than what traditional wind turbines can harness. Furthermore, traditional wind turbine farms require large expanses of land and are most efficient in open areas with consistently high wind speeds, making them less practical for densely populated areas. In contrast, triboelectric energy harvesters are compact, offering the possibility to be placed on rooftops and other locations, where space and wind conditions may not support turbines.
The final design for this project incorporates a biomimicry approach, inspired by the natural movement of leaves. Leaves, which vibrate in the wind, can create repeated contact and separation between two materials with opposing positions on the triboelectric series. This motion creates voltage peaks resembling alternating current (AC), which is then converted to a nearly constant direct current (DC) voltage through the electrical circuit. Under wind tunnel testing, a two leaf systems, one coated in a positively and one negatively charged triboelectric material, were evaluated at varying wind speeds. At a rotational speed of 500 RPM (approximately 19 MPH), Voltage peaks generated from contact separation events between conductive elements were recorded, with peak amplitudes ranging from 35 to 60 V. After processing through the electrical setup, the system produced a nearly constant DC output of approximately 80 mV. Increasing the speed to 550 RPM (21 MPH) resulted in peak voltages between 50 and 70 V, with a higher DC output of 100 mV. At 600 RPM (23 MPH), voltage peaks further increased, ranging from 60 to 95 V, while the DC output only increased slightly, when compared to 550 RPM, at about 120 mV. These results show that this triboelectric system can convert wind energy into electrical energy at relatively low wind speeds. While more research needs to be done on how a series of leaves interact and whether their combined effect can generate higher electrical output, this design demonstrates the potential for small-scale energy generation in environments with low or inconsistent wind speeds.
The sociotechnical paper focused on wind energy development in the United States through the hype cycle, examining public perception, policy, media, and investments, since the 1970s. Showcasing how wind energy has evolved not only as a technology but a system that has been shaped by shifting culture, political agendas, and economic forces. The main research question asks how the development and perception of wind energy in the U.S. has followed the phases of the hype cycle and has contributed to its fluctuations and future momentum. Public perception plays a crucial role in the adoption and advancements of wind energy. Periods of heightened enthusiasm, often fueled by media optimism or environmental crisis, have led to growth in investment and technological progress. When expectations outpace technological development, when political support decreases, or public interest declines, development and funding stalls. This pattern aligns with the stages of the hype cycle: Innovation trigger, Peak inflated expectations, Trough of Disillusionment, Slope of Enlightenment, and Plateau of Productivity. The methodology includes analysis using primary and secondary sources of newspapers, government documents, public opinion polls, and energy investment data. By examining these sources, this paper traces turning points and narratives about wind energy.
The stages of the hype cycle describe how wind energy has developed as an alternative energy source in the United States. The oil embargoes of the 1970s set off the Innovation Trigger, creating a sense of urgency for energy independence. Early policies, such as the Energy Tax Act, laid groundwork for investments in research and development into wind energy, despite low awareness and high public skepticism. Peak of Expectations in the 1980s and 90s saw expanded federal support and increased private investments. In the early 2000s, the industry entered the Trough of Disillusionment, with inconsistent federal support and varied media coverage leading to public uncertainty and stalled investments. Recovery began in 2009 with the Slope of Enlightenment, driven by stable funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and increasing public enthusiasm, with more realistic expectations. The Plateau of Productivity started around 2017, as wind energy became more cost competitive and widely adopted, though this marked a period of growing political division. This research shows the significance of sociopolitical factors in shaping technological progress. Wind energy’s future in the United States depends on bipartisan support, sustained public and private investment, and a unified approach to alternative energy conversions.

School of Engineering and Applied Science
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Technical Advisor: Sarah Sun; Thomas Ward
STS Advisor: Pedro Augusto Francisco
Technical Team Members: Essam Allibhai-Mawani, Anthony Ferrufino Cruz, Christopher Herath, Steve Kim, Oliver Nicholson, Graham Osisek, Sage Wibberley