Experimental sea wave energy extractor based on piezoelectric Ericsson cycles

Abstract

Recycling ambient energies with electric generators instead of employing batteries with limited lifespans has motivated a large scientist community over two decades. Sea waves exhibit a large energy density. The amount of energy that could be extracted from the sea waves is very high. This work describes a technique of sea wave energy extraction based on a piezoelectric conversion and an analogy with thermodynamic Ericsson loops. By synchronizing external electric field to the maximum and the minimum of the sea wave mechanical stress excitations, the piezoelectric material dielectric hysteresis loop area is increased corresponding to the maximum of the energy available. In this article, technical solutions are proposed for the in site deployment of the proposed technique (maximum and minimum detection, external electric field source synchronization). Experimental measuring benches have been developed to monitor the sea wave mechanical excitation and to determine precisely the energy-harvesting potential. Adequate dielectric hysteresis model is proposed to numerically determine the best configuration (frequency, amplitude) of electric field to impose. Even if the Ericsson technique requires external electronic devices, the weak consumption of such components allows a large enhancement of the amount of energy extracted compared to a basic piezo element conversion.

Simulation of Synchronized-Switching Method Energy Harvester Including Accurate Piezoceramic Nonlinear Behavior

“…Such approaches are necessary to achieve an agreement between numerical and experiment results. On the basis of experiment observations, an accurate piezo-ceramic hysteresis model was established suitable for large frequency bandwidths and for providing precise simulation results, whatever the shape and the nature of the excitation (triangular or sinusoidal, electrical, or mechanical) [22][23][24][25]. The present hysteresis model is constituted of two contributions: quasistatic (frequency-independent) and dynamic contribution.…”

Small‐scale experimental study on the optimisation of a rooftop rainwater energy harvester using electromagnetic generators in light rains

“…Piezoelectric materials are widely used for vibration energy harvesting. [8][9][10][11][12][13] One type of harvester relies on the rainwater-induced kinetic-to-electric energy transfer through piezoelectric materials attached to elastic structures. The most common method utilises the ambient vibration energy induced by direct impact of raindrops, which is converted into electrical energy through the piezoelectricity of piezoelectric materials.…”

“…Several methods were developed to collect the potential energy of rain in recent years, 6,7 which can be divided into two categories. Piezoelectric materials are widely used for vibration energy harvesting 8‐13 . One type of harvester relies on the rainwater‐induced kinetic‐to‐electric energy transfer through piezoelectric materials attached to elastic structures.…”

Broadening Band of Wind Speed for Aeroelastic Energy Scavenging of a Cylinder through Buffeting in the Wakes of a Squared Prism

“…Recently, the development of renewable energy technology motivated the development of low-power level piezoelectric energy harvesting, which is expected to solve the issue of energy supply for small wireless sensors and microelectromechanical system (MEMS) [1][2][3]. ere are many ambient energy sources (including mechanical vibrations, human motions, and fluid flows) that can be harvested based on reasonable energy harvesting devices [4][5][6][7][8]. Vibration is a common phenomenon in the natural world.…”