Multi-piezoelectric energy harvesters array based on wind-induced vibration: Design, simulation, and experimental evaluation

Abstract

The efficiency of a single piezoelectric energy harvester (PEH) is inadequate to meet the energy requirements of equipment, requiring the simultaneous operation of multiple PEHs. Consequently, this work conducts research on multi-piezoelectric energy harvesters (MPEH) array based on wind-induced vibration. Analyze the output characteristics of array configurations using simulation and experimental methods, including dual parallel array (PEH-2p), dual series array (PEH-2s), four-square array (PEH-4), and nine-square array (PEH-9) energy harvesters. The results indicate that the spacing ratio (L/D) is the primary factor influencing the output performance of the PEH array. Both of the starting and peak wind speeds of PEH-2p were below the reference value, but the power peak has increased. The starting wind speed of PEH-2s has been reduced, with a more significant improvement in the output performance of the downstream energy harvester compared to the upstream energy harvester. The output power of the downstream energy harvester has increased by 323.35 % in comparison to the reference value. Additionally, the PEH-4 demonstrates a boosting effect on the output power of both the upstream and downstream energy harvesters. The energy harvester in the center of the PEH-9 has the highest power peak, being 349.44 % higher than the reference value.