Overview
Personal Profile
Calum Kenny completed an EngD in offshore renewable energy at the University of Edinburgh in 2019, which dealt with risk and cost driven instrumentation of wave and tidal energy converters using failure mode and effects analyses. At NLR, he is involved in low-power energy harvesting using novel materials such as triboelectric nanogenerators, internal reaction mass devices and power electronics both at 100kW and 100mW scales. His expertise spans marine energy systems design, tank testing, marine operations, instrumentation, embedded hardware and data science.
Research Interests
Low-Power Energy Harvesting
Studied power to mass ratio of internal reaction mass wave energy converters. Designed and oversaw operation of custom testing apparatus for dielectric elastomeric generators and triboelectric nanogenerator specimens.
Power Electronics
Responsible for characterization of tidal generator power electronics and battery emulation. Use of KiCAD electronic PCB design package to design energy harvesting circuitry for triboelectric nanogenerator prototypes.
Capturing Lessons Learned From Industry
Kenny aims to use his experience in working in the wave and tidal energy industries to capture lessons learned from technology development, to better inform U.S. Department of Energy staff on grant award negotiations and technical reviews.
Professional Experience
Research Engineer, Nova Innovation (2017–2020)
Research Engineer, Albatern (2015–2017)
Education/Academic Qualification
PhD, Offshore Renewable Energy, University of Edinburgh
Bachelor, Renewable Energy, University of Exeter
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Collaborations and Top Research Areas From the Past 5 Years
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Electrical Validation Testing for ORPC MHK Generator, Modification 6: ORPC SBV for MHK Generator System: Cooperative Research and Development Final Report, CRADA Number CRD-17-00716
Kenny, C., Lambert, S., Mendoza, I., Muljadi, E. & Meor Danial, S., 2025, 15 p.Research output: NLR › Technical Report
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Exploring the Use of Flexible Circuit Boards to the Increase Power Density of a Rotary Triboelectric Nanogenerator
Peterson, T. & Kenny, C., 2025, 1 p. National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR).Research output: NLR › Poster
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Initial Characterization of the NREL Large-Amplitude Motion Platform
Friedman, B., Nichols, C., Simms, A., Kenny, C. & Skinner, M., 2025, 35 p.Research output: NLR › Technical Report
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Investigation of a Multi-Rotor Triboelectric Nanogenerator Using a Modular Flexible Circuit Board Stack
Kenny, C. & Peterson, T., 2024, 20 p.Research output: NLR › Presentation
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Prototyping of a Rotary Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Power at Sea
Trayner, G., Kenny, C. & McNally, J., 2024, National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR).Research output: NLR › Poster