Enhancement of fuel efficiency in heavy duty vehicles through integrated module of TEG, piezoelectric and regenerative braking solutions

Abstract

In this paper, role of heavy duty vehicles in contributing pollution is addressed with identified areas of improvement for enhancing their existing fuel efficiency. Potentials of thermo-electric generator (TEG), piezoelectric generator and regenerative braking are studied. It is suggested to develop integrated solution having all three technologies to harvest the waste energy through various means. This solution brings the individual little energy harvested through the three discussed solutions together and supply back the significant amount of energy back to the HDV’s. Combined energy harvest is suggested to optimize the cost involved and reduce the losses as well as maintenance expenses by indirectly increasing the life of associated components of the vehicles. These technologies have several limitations related to efficiency and materials which may further get improvised with the research in future.