VIBRATION ENERGY HARVESTER SYSTEM (VEHS)

Energy harvesting is a process in which energy is drawn from external sources.
Energy harvesting device is used to convert other available form of energy, for example
solar energy, wind energy, thermal energy and mechanical energy, into electrical energy.
This has attracted much attention from many people to utilize the abundant natural
energy from being wasted. One of the most fundamental energy available which is often
neglected is vibration energy. Vibration energy subsists widely in the world and is always
wasted.
The purpose of this project is to develop a working prototype, Vibration Energy
Harvester System (VEHS), which will be used to convert the vibration energy created by
traffic vibration on the road pavement into electrical energy. Among the technique
available in converting the vibration energy into electrical energy is by using the concept
of electrostatic, piezoelectric and electromagnetic induction. Since it is easy to keep a
strong magnetic field using strong permanent magnet, electromagnetic induction is
chosen as the suitable approach for this project. Engineering drawing tool, AutoCAD, is
used to design the prototype before is it fabricated. Next, based on a presume value of
identified variable, a simulation is done using MA TLAB to speculate the amount of
output that are able to be drawn from the actual prototype.
After that, the prototype is fabricated and the testing is carried out to observe the
performance of the device. The prototype is placed on vibration generator where its
frequency and acceleration can be adjusted. The result of open-loop and closed-loop test
of the prototype is summarized in the graphical representation.