This study investigates the use of an alternative energy source in the production of electric energy to meet the increasing energy requirements, encourage the use of clean energy, and thus reduce the effects of global warming. The alternative energy source used is a mechanical energy by piezoelectric material, which can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, that can convert mechanical energy from pressure forces and vibrations during activities such as walking and traveling into electrical energy. Herein, a pilot device is designed, involving the modification of a bicycle into a stationary exercise bike with a piezoelectric generator, to study energy conversion and storage generated from using the bike. Secondly, the piezoelectric energy harvesting system is used on bicycles as a micro-mobility, light electric utility vehicle with smart operation, providing a novel approach to smart city design. The results show that the energy harvested from the piezoelectric devices can be stored in a 3200 mAh, 5 V battery and power sensors on the bicycle. Moreover, 13.6 mW power can be generated at regular cycling speed, outputting 11.5 V and 1.2 mA. Therefore, the piezoelectric energy harvesting system has sufficient potential for application as a renewable energy source that can be used with low power equipment.
Using of clean or renewable energy to generate electric power instead of fossil fuel is further promising. Smart material which can collect the dissipated vibration energy from moving object and transfer to electrical power called "Piezoelectric" material has developed and become increasingly interested. There are many kinds of synthetic material having piezoelectric effect; each type has different electrical and structural output when applying the same input. The structure analysis based on finite element method (FEM) is carried out in order to identify the optimized point of input force which will not damage the piezoelectric structure. The output voltage can be also determined. Moreover, the total displacement, equivalent stress and strain will be calculated and presented as contour mapping using ANSYS Workbench. The results are satisfactory and useful to identify material's characteristics appropriated to specific task and also reduce times and cost of trial and error phase in experiment.
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