Experimental Validation of an Electromechanical Device to Convert Vehicles Mechanical Energy into Electrical Energy

Abstract

In recent years, research into energy harvesting technologies has increased considerably due to the growing need for alternative energy sources. The particular case of energy harvesting on road pavements is a recent area of research, with different technologies having been developed. However, none of them have presented high energy conversion efficiencies, making that none of them has entered the market. This paper deals with the experimental validation of a new electro-mechanical system to implement on a road pavement energy harvesting electromechanical device, previously developed by the authors. The main goal is to quantify the energy harvesting and conversion efficiency of the new system and compare it with its theoretical results from simulations. Conclusions about the system's efficiency are presented.