Abstract:
This project explores the potential of piezoelectric energy harvesting in vehicles by integrating a piezo bender system into the vehicle’s suspension. The system captures mechanical vibrations induced by the vehicle’s motion across various road conditions and converts them into electrical energy. A simulation model using MATLAB was developed to analyze the energy harvested at different vehicle speeds and road profiles, including very good, good, average, and poor road conditions. The results indicate that piezoelectric systems can significantly improve energy recovery, with poor road conditions generating the highest energy output due to increased vibrations. The energy harvested from the suspension system can potentially contribute to enhancing the vehicle’s battery charge and overall energy efficiency.
The study demonstrates that while road quality affects the energy generation, the most substantial gains are observed on rougher surfaces, highlighting the role of piezoelectric systems in improving vehicle sustainability. By optimizing the energy conversion process and integrating piezoelectric harvesters into modern hybrid and electric vehicles, the overall energy efficiency could be significantly boosted. This project paves the way for future advancements in piezoelectric energy harvesting, with potential applications in enhancing battery life, reducing energy consumption, and supporting sustainable automotive technologies.
| With piezo bender | Without piezo bender | ||
| Regenerated energy Kwh | Regenerated energy for unit distance Wh/km | Regenerated energy Kwh | Regenerated energy for unit distance Wh/km |
| 0.000101 | 3.445 | 2.96E-05 | 1.016 |
| Vehicel speed in Kmph | Regenerated energy Kwh | Regenerated energy for unit distance Wh/km |
| 10 | 0.000101 | 3.445 |
| 20 | 0.000116 | 3.982 |
| 30 | 0.000132 | 4.519 |
| 45 | 0.000148 | 5.056 |