Energy Harnessing And Harvesting By Piezoelectric Sensors

The system design is based on the foot force applied on the piezoelectrical sensor which generates electricity by means of mechanical vibration. A piezo sensor can be made from different materials; each material gives different output voltage, in response to applied pressure. On analysis, the most c

Project Title

Energy Harnessing And Harvesting By Piezoelectric Sensors

Project Area of Specialization

Electrical/Electronic Engineering

Project Summary

The system design is based on the foot force applied on the piezoelectrical sensor which generates electricity by means of mechanical vibration. A piezo sensor can be made from different materials; each material gives different output voltage, in response to applied pressure. On analysis, the most commonly available piezoelectric material is lead zirconate titanate (PZT). It is also used in our project to give better output voltage. In our prototype we used a 1 X 1-foot tile in which 27mm piezoelectric transducers are used. The nominal voltage of a single transducer is around 2 volts. Accordingly, eight transducers give around 8-15 volts and around 1.5m A in series connection, while in parallel connection it gives 4-10 volts and around 3.1m A. This shows that in series connection we get high voltage and in parallel connection we get high current. So to overcome this we connect 2 groups of 4 transducers in series and then connect them parallel which gives 10-12 volts and 0.002-0.004 A output. People whose weight varies from 40kg to 75 kg will be made to walk on the piezo tile to test the voltage generating capacity of the Piezo tile. Maximum voltage is generated when maximum weight/force is applied. The electric voltage generated due to mechanical vibration is an AC voltage, therefore a bridge rectifier circuit is used which converts the AC voltage into DC voltage so that it could be used in electronic device. To increase the harvesting power of the circuit an amplifier would be add to the circuit to adaptively adjust the rectified voltage with respect to the piezoelectric open-circuit voltage (VOC). We will use microcontroller ATmega328 to monitor the voltage generated through the tile, further it would be stored in rechargeable battery.

Project Objectives

Harvesting kinetic energies is a sustainable method for generating electricity this project focuses on converting of walking energy to electricity. The objective of this project is to design a piezoelectric tile for harvesting energy from footsteps and to optimize the system for harvesting maximum energy with efficient monitoring and storage.

Project Implementation Method

Our venture spins around the transformation of mechanical energy into electrical power when pressure is applied. We'll be making a tile which is able to achieve this objective by utilizing piezoelectric sensors. The framework is exceptionally straightforward we'll be introducing a tile which can deliver power when weight is exerted on it. So, as  long as the individual strolls over our tile the sensors will start to work and at the end of the day we'll have utilized ambient vibration and convert it into a much valuable output which will further be utilized to light up road lights and walkways.

Benefits of the Project

• It is ecofriendly and produces no pollution.

• It uses the waste mechanical energy to produce electricity.

• It is harmless and non-toxic to humans

• It is economical.

• An alternate source for energy production.

• Utilizing piezoelectric technology as a clean energy which conserve environment and reduce CO2 emissions that produced form the fuel recourses.

• Saving energy consumption and direct the surplus toward investment.

• Reducing electricity bill for the consumers and reach lower price category of electricity consumption.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

In our prototype we used a 1 X 1-foot tile in which 27mm piezoelectric transducers are used. The nominal voltage of a single transducer is around 2 volts. Accordingly, eight transducers give around 8-15 volts and around 1.5m A in series connection, while in parallel connection it gives 4-10 volts and around 3.1m A .This shows that in series connection we get high voltage and in parallel connection we get high current .So to overcome this we connect 2 groups of 4 transducers in series and then connect them parallel which gives 10-12 volts and 0.002-0.004 A output. People whose weight varies from 40kg to 75 kg will be made to walk on the piezo tile to test the voltage generating capacity of the Piezo tile. Maximum voltage is generated when maximum weight/force is applied. The electric voltage generated due to mechanical vibration is an AC voltage, therefore a bridge rectifier circuit is used which converts the AC voltage into DC voltage so that it could be used in electronic device.

To increase the harvesting power of the circuit an amplifier would be add to the circuit to adaptively adjust the rectified voltage with respect to the piezoelectric open-circuit voltage (VOC) . We will use microcontroller ATmega328 to monitor the voltage generated through the tile, further it would be stored in rechargeable battery. For charging phenomenon, consider average weight is 55kg which produce maximum output voltage 10-12 volts per step. The amount of charged battery will be displayed on the LCD screen. There are many choices for LCD like: 2x40 without backlighting, 1x16 which has only one row to show and finally 2x16 which is the most common type that can cover the system needs in very simple way. The LCD will be interface with the microcontroller to display the battery voltages. The microcontroller also helps in controlling, charging and discharging of the battery and protect it from over charging and avoiding the damage. At the end the cable is connected to the battery which is used to charge any kind of load that could be attached.

Final Deliverable of the Project

Hardware System

Core Industry

Energy

Other Industries

Education

Core Technology

Wearables and Implantables

Other Technologies

Others

Sustainable Development Goals

Affordable and Clean Energy

Required Resources

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