Enhanced piezoelectric wind energy harvesting based on a buckled beam

Abstract

In order to improve the wind energy conversion efficiency, this study entails a concept utilizing the buckling behavior of a buckled beam to induce large amplitude oscillations in a PVDF beam harvester. Specifically, when the buckled beam subjected to the buckling load is in an unstable condition, the wind load can trigger the drastic vibration of the PVDF beam harvester. Experimental results demonstrate that the output performances of the proposed harvester are improved dramatically compared with a traditional cantilever beam harvester.