Generate electrical energy from vibrating transformers

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of generating electrical energy from the vibrations of high power transformers using piezoelectric materials. Participants explore the theoretical and practical implications of this idea, including the mechanisms involved and potential energy conversion efficiencies.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes the idea of generating electrical energy from transformer vibrations using piezoelectric materials.
  • Another participant mentions that piezoelectric crystals produce electricity on their own but questions how a transformer could enhance this output.
  • A participant suggests attaching a piezoelectric capsule to the transformer to harness the mechanical energy from its vibrations, seeking clarification on this approach.
  • It is noted that piezoelectric devices can operate in reverse, converting electrical input into mechanical energy, but this process is not 100% efficient, leading to energy losses.
  • A participant clarifies that their intention is to convert the mechanical energy already lost from transformer vibrations into electrical energy using piezoelectric materials.
  • Another participant acknowledges the clarified idea and agrees that it could theoretically work, but expresses skepticism about the practicality and cost-effectiveness of such modifications.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of agreement on the theoretical possibility of generating energy from transformer vibrations using piezoelectrics, but there is skepticism regarding the practicality and efficiency of the approach. No consensus is reached on the viability of the idea.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the potential inefficiencies in energy conversion processes and the need for further exploration of the actual energy output versus the cost of implementation.

Yves Maia Auad
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Hey guys, how are you?

I just have an idea but can't figure it out how to solve it. Is it possible to generate electrical energy from a (high power) transformer vibration using piezoelectrics?
 
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Piezoelectic crystals etc, produce electricity by themselves although not very much.
I can't see how introducing a transformer could in some way increase the amount produced.
 
I mean attach a piezoelectric capsule in the transformer. As they vibrate from electromagnetic and magnetrostrictive forces, this can actually generate some extra electrical current on the piezo...Am I wrong?

Thanks for the reply!
 
It's possible to operate a piezoelectric in reverse so that applying a current to it will make the crystal change shape.
So yes you could use such a device to vibrate a magnet or a coil, and then use that vibration to produce a current.
All you are really doing there though is converting electrical input to mechanical energy, and converting that back into electrical energy.
Since the process can't be made 100% efficient there will be some energy lost, so you will end up needing to supply more power than you can get out.
 
English is not my mother tongue (I am brazilian)...probably there was a misunderstanding of what I really thought to do. Sorry mate!

I am not going to use the piezo to vibrate the transformer. My idea is try to convert that "already lost" mechanical energy from the transformer vibration to electrical energy using the piezo...

What i mean from transformer is the voltage transformer commonly used out there hehehehe (if you check a big one, you going to see that they vibrate as hell...its actually really annoying) :smile:
 

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Ah, I got it now.
You mean you could attach a lot of piezoelectric devices to an already operating high power transformer and gain some additional electrical power from that.
Yes I think you could do that in principle, though I doubt that the amount of power produced would be enough to justify the cost of modifying a transformer in that way.
 
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