Hybrid Energy Harvesting Scheme Using Piezoelectric and Thermoelectric Generators

Abstract

This paper presents and evaluates the effectiveness of using a hybrid energy harvesting scheme consisting of AC and DC generators based on piezoelectric and Thermoelectric respectively, for powering a wireless sensor node. In comparison to conventional single harvesting mechanism, a hybrid scheme able to complement each other to ensure a more sustainable application. In this project, heat and vibration, which are ubiquitous from the ambient environment especially those in an oil and gas industries, are being explored, converted and integrated in the form of a hybrid topology in order to increase the chances of survivability of the wireless sensor node. The experimental result showed that charging time required to fully charge a 5V, 15mF capacitor bank for parallel is 27s while for series is 20s. It clearly show that piezoelectric and thermoelectric generators arranged in series topology is better compare to in parallel, in term of capacitor charging time.

Research and development of a new combination of piezo-thermoelectric energy harvester systems from roadways

“…Intermittent energy sources could be enhanced by combining two or more energy sources. In this case, even if one energy source is unavailable, the other source can compensate for the energy production [13]. This paper addresses the problems of intermittent sources by combining two energy sources (mechanical vibration and thermal gradient) in a road pavement.…”

“…For the PEG, the output voltage is dependent on the resistance load (equation (13)). The open circuit voltage could be determined by turning the load impedance to match the internal impedance of the PEG by the relation R opt C 2 0 0 = p w [87].…”

“…The open circuit voltage could be determined by turning the load impedance to match the internal impedance of the PEG by the relation R opt C 2 0 0 = p w [87]. Thus, the open circuit voltage is determined by equation (13). To avoid confusion about the symbols α, the authors denoted α PEG (in N/V ) the force factor of the piezoelectric element model and α TEG (in V/K ) the Seebeck coefficient of the thermoelectric element.…”