Power generation with peizoelectricity

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility and practicality of generating energy through piezoelectricity, particularly from public movements and vehicle traffic. Participants explore the potential applications, challenges, and current implementations of piezoelectric sensors in urban environments.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the success of energy generation from public movements and inquires about the potential for vehicles to contribute to this energy generation.
  • Another participant notes that the cost of installing piezoelectric sensors currently outweighs the electricity generated, suggesting that cost-effectiveness is a key barrier to implementation on roads.
  • A different viewpoint emphasizes that piezoelectric energy generation is more of a novelty than a practical solution, citing concerns about mechanical robustness and the potential for fatigue failure in piezoelectric materials under repeated stress.
  • One participant mentions the installation of piezoelectric sensors at Tokyo Station for study purposes, indicating that while they generate energy, the output is neither substantial nor cost-effective.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views, with some acknowledging the potential of piezoelectricity in theory while others highlight significant practical challenges. There is no consensus on the viability of piezoelectric energy generation as a solution to energy needs.

Contextual Notes

Concerns about the mechanical robustness of piezoelectric materials and the cost of installation versus energy output are noted as limitations in the discussion. The effectiveness of piezoelectric sensors in high-traffic environments remains unresolved.

dhayalanvk
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I read an article that using peizoelectricity , ideas to generate energy from public movements was tried. How far was it sucess? If this is possible , can we generate energy from vehicles movement on roads?
 
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So far, the cost of installing peizoelectric sensors is far greater than the value of electricity generated. But, yes, if it could be cost effective, it could be used in roads.
 
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Thusfar it's more of a novelty than a practical solution to our energy needs. The biggest longterm problem, IMHO, is the lack of mechanical robustness. If you want a device that, by definition, must repeatedly deform to generate a useful voltage, then that device must be extremely resistant to fatigue failure. Ceramics don't offer that, nor do the intricate interconnects that must be maintained in the contacting circuitry. When you start talking about putting it on roadways and other environments with frequent catastrophic damage caused by everyday use, the maintenance cost for replacing failed piezos would be huge.
 
I know that in Japan, for study purposes, piezoelectric sensors have been installed on tokyo station in high traffic areas to generate electricity. Doesn't generate neither volume or good cost, just study.

They look like regular soft tiles and it generates energy while people walk through them.
 

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