Piezo-electricity, can it be applied to large structures

AI Thread Summary
Piezo-electricity can theoretically be applied to large structures like bridges to generate electricity from traffic, but it does not provide free energy. The energy harvested from piezoelectric materials comes from the additional fuel consumed by vehicles due to the deformation caused by their weight. Similar applications, such as piezo inserts in shoes, also rely on energy derived from the food consumed by individuals. While the technology could be used to capture energy from pedestrians on busy streets, the overall energy gain is limited by the energy input required for movement. Therefore, while feasible, piezo-electric applications in large structures may not be a practical energy solution.
pj83
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I'm new to electrical engineering so this is probably a stupid question. But after reading about piezo-electricity, can it be applied to large structures, like a bridge, to generate electricity when traffic travels over it ?
 
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pj83 said:
I'm new to electrical engineering so this is probably a stupid question. But after reading about piezo-electricity, can it be applied to large structures, like a bridge, to generate electricity when traffic travels over it ?

Welcome to the PF. Not a stupid question at all. We had a similar thread someplace here on the PF recently. Bottom line is that you don't get any free energy out of it. The energy that you could harvest from deforming (banging on) a piezo or other roadway would come from extra fuel burned in the cars.
 


Yeah I suppose that's true, I've read that piezo inserts in shoes could be used for powering mobiles and the like. Could'nt the same technology collect energy from people walking on pavements in busy streets ?
 


Same deal: the energy for that comes, ultimately, from the food the pedestrians eat. Though given the weight problem this country suffers, it might not be a bad idea.
 
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