Piezoelectric Energy Generation from Vehicle Traffic with Technoeconomic Analysis

Abstract

This paper presents a technical simulation based system to support the concept of generating energy from road traffic using piezoelectric materials. The simulation based system design replicates a real life system implementation. It investigates practicality and feasibility using a real-time simulation platform known as MATLAB-Simulink. The system design structure was proposed considering factors involved with the field of material sciences for piezoelectric generator modeling and field of power electronics for additional components in producing a realist outcome. It also ensures ease of vehicle performance, as this system utilizes energy source derived as kinetic energy released from vehicles into electrical power output, that is, obtained by harnessing kinetic energy due to strain of vehicles over asphalt road surface. Due to the real-time simulation platform, the system simulation predicts the effective global carbon footprint. In addition to evaluating technical viability, a technoeconomical business analysis provides a strategic perspective. By using the simulation based power generation results, an estimation of implementation cost and payback time in real life (for United Arab Emirates) was derived, hence validating and predicting real-time economic outcome. This is followed by a comparative study with other sources of renewable energy based on levelized energy cost factor that justifies the performance of the proposed system over other renewable energy sources, in support of providing an economical solution on reducing global carbon footprint.

A Systematic Review of Piezoelectric Materials and Energy Harvesters for Industrial Applications

“…The stress experienced by the piles of PZT shown in Figure 11 b is given by Equation (30): where , , , and are vertical stress on the pavement, effective load area, number of PZT piles in a harvester, and area of PZT, respectively. Najini et al [ 84 ] performed the techno-economic analysis of piezoelectric energy generation from vehicle traffic under different traffic conditions in Dubai, as shown in Figure 12 .…”

“…where σ, A c , n, and A are vertical stress on the pavement, effective load area, number of PZT piles in a harvester, and area of PZT, respectively. Najini et al [84] performed the techno-economic analysis of piezoelectric energy generation from vehicle traffic under different traffic conditions in Dubai, as shown in Figure 12. Shoe-mounted piezoelectric energy harvesting systems have been developed for various low power applications such as medical sensing [85].…”

Energy harvesting from pavements and roadways: A comprehensive review of technologies, materials, and challenges

“…A polycrystalline PT was integrated into the power management module for energy harvesting from pavement vibration. Many similar researches on the application of piezoelectric technique for pavement energy harvesting are available in the literature . Table summarizes the research progress of energy harvesting from roads and pavements by piezoelectric technology.…”

Review of Piezoelecric Energy Harvesting Through Footsteps

“…The use of sensors has increased in various fields and their use has been increased in piezoelectric power generations as well. This paper too reviews the use of piezoelectric sensors in power generations [8][9][10][11][12]. They are mainly used in power generations from footsteps [9].…”