An ocean wave-based piezoelectric energy harvesting system using breaking wave force

Abstract

Nowadays, in the case of the coastal structures, wave breaking and access to clean energy are two important issues, which can be addressed by combining breakwater and vibration-based energy harvesting systems. In this study, the mechanical energy which is produced when ocean wave breaks into a vertical face is converted into electrical energy. To accomplish this, a new low-volume piezoelectric beam-column energy harvesting system is proposed. To study the application of this system, a theoretical model is presented and studied analytically. The analytical model is updated using experimental data and it is shown that the analytical results were similar to the experimental results after updating. After validating the electromechanical model, an energy harvesting system is presented, which can produce energy from breaking ocean waves on a vertical face. Four possible conceptual designs for energy harvesting systems are considered and the so-called Perfection Rate (PR) is introduced to select the best model to maximize harvested energy whilst mitigating the deteriorating effects of large strain deformation.