Abstract
The use of quasi-Z-source inverters (qZSIs) for DC-DC power conversion applications has gained much recognition when dealing with grid-tied renewable energy resource integrations. This paper proposes a novel self-powered dynamic system (SPDS) involving a piezoelectric vibration energy harvester (PVEH) using qZSI to establish interoperability with a DC load rated at 16.15 mW. Based on uncertain output performances from a piezoelectric cantilever beam (CB), the qZSI-based PVEH serves as a dynamic voltage restoration unit that establishes load-following synchronisation. It uses a proportional-integral based boost controller (PI-based BC) to generate strategic ordering of shoot-through voltage amplification into pulse-width modulation (PWM) gating sequences. The SPDS was modelled using two software based on commercially available product specifications: (i) COMSOL Multiphysics to mechanically design and optimise a CB. (ii) PSCAD/EMTDC to electronically design and integrate the qZSI with the optimised CB, while functioning as a testbed to model the SPDS against arbitrary wind speed and structural vibration frequency data collected from an above-ground mass rapid transit (MRT) train station in Khatib, Singapore. The acquired simulation results have depicted desirable transient responses at respective sub-systems, procuring fast settling-time responses, negligible steady-state error, as well as high efficiencies of 94.07% and 91.64% for the CB and SPDS respectively.
Highlights
Research efforts on self-powered dynamic systems (SPDSs) involving vibration-based energy harvesting have gained interest due to the relevancy of their deployment to sustainable urban energy planning
Typically employs a piezoelectric cantilever beam (CB) with a proof mass mounted at its free end while its other end is fixed to a centralised, vibrating host structure
Vin fluctuates in conjuncture with arbitrary wind speed directed at the CB during vibration-based operation
Summary
Research efforts on self-powered dynamic systems (SPDSs) involving vibration-based energy harvesting have gained interest due to the relevancy of their deployment to sustainable urban energy planning. They can replicate operational benefits similar to either solar or wind energy harvesting systems that possess compact circuitry design and lower installation costs, whilst achieving greater sensitivity towards environment variations [1,2,3]. The PVEH typically employs a piezoelectric cantilever beam (CB) with a proof mass mounted at its free end while its other end is fixed to a centralised, vibrating host structure. Whenever ambient vibrations are propagated across the host structure, the CB’s free end resonates in vertical oscillatory motion to Electronics 2020, 9, 265; doi:10.3390/electronics9020265 www.mdpi.com/journal/electronics
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