Implementation of Wind Vibration Energy Harvester System for Tarpaulin and Billboard Application

Abstract

The focus of this study is to design a vibration energy harvester on a hybrid billboard and poster tarpaulin. Vibration energy is harvested using the vibration produced by the force of the wind on the tarpaulin with the help of piezoelectric generators. Piezoelectric element is mainly composed of crystals, it follows the piezoelectric effect that is when subjected to a mechanical stress or vibration, an electrical potential will be produced from its sides, whereas the potential is proportional to the magnitude of the force, and vice versa, whereas when an electrical potential is applied, it will create a mechanical stress or vibration. A microcontroller using an Arduino with a Do-It-Yourself SD Card Logging Shield will be used as a data logger and as a programmed controller for the hybrid circuit of the billboard. The relationship between the output voltage and the force applied on the billboard will be discussed. This study will contain testing in a controlled and uncontrolled environment to determine the different performance of the prototype and to compare the measured parameters such as voltage, current and energy at different environment.