Design, modelling and experimental analysis of a piezoelectric wind energy generator for low-power applications

• Published in: Sensors and actuators. A. Physical. Vol. 317; p. 112462
• Main Authors: Paulo e Silva, Alan Gonçalves, Basílio Sobrinho, José Marques, da Rocha Souto, Cícero, Ries, Andreas, de Castro, Alexandre Cézar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 01.01.2021; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Alternative energy sources; Design analysis; Energy; Energy harvesting; Fossil fuels; Low-power; Magnetism; Mathematical models; Permanent magnets; Piezoelectric ceramics; Piezoelectric energy harvesting; Piezoelectric generator; Piezoelectric transducers; Power consumption; Power management; Renewable energy sources; Steel beams; Surge protectors; Wind generator; Wind power; Wind turbines; Piezoelectric generator; Wind generator; Piezoelectric energy harvesting; Low-power
• ISSN: 0924-4247; 1873-3069
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sna.2020.112462

[Display omitted] •Design and manufacture of a new wind turbine using piezoelectric transducers for low power (mW) applications.•Piezoelectric ceramics type PZT C-64 were employed.•Numerical simulations performed to optimize the beam geometry, piezo dimension and the mass fixed at the beam's.•Experimental results for generated electrical voltage and the maximum output power for different working conditions.•Higher power density (μW/mm3) among the studies analyzed. Over the last few decades the consumption of fossil fuels and other non-renewable energy sources has risen concerns regarding the protection of the environment. With this in mind, this work presents a design, characterization and numerical and experimental analyses of a wind turbine using piezoelectric transducers for low power (mW) devices based on the concept of energy harvesting. The prototype has approximate dimensions of 84.5×87×20 mm3; the excitation is performed by permanent magnets, which were glued to the generator's axis with a 120° lag. Every magnet interacts with the free end of a steel beam (60×13×0.15 mm3), with a piezoelectric ceramic (PZT C-64) on its surface. Different numerical and experimental analyses were performed to optimize the beam geometry, piezo dimension, the mass fixed at the beam's end, the generated electrical voltage and especially the available maximum output power. Finally, the best performing model is reported for different working conditions, providing a maximum output power of 2.06 mW for only one beam and 3.78 mW for three beams in parallel association, with an associated power density of 18.8 μW/mm3 and 11.5 μW/mm3, respectively.