Micro Wind Energy Harvesting

Abstract. The Micro Wind Energy Harvesting project explores wind energy capture using devices inspired by leaf movement. Unlike natural leaves, these devices are designed to resist wind flow, converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. The study was conducted at wind speeds of 1.00-3.00 m/s, typical for Thailand. Leaf models with an aspect ratio of 1.5 were designed and 3D printed. Tests were performed in an open wind tunnel using leaves and petioles with piezoelectric components, with energy output measured by a PicoScope. Initial experiments with various leaf shapes found that a semi-circle model with winglets produced the highest output at 6.17 μW. Subsequent tests with larger leaves (increased by 1.98 times) and varying petiole lengths yielded a maximum output of 2S34 mW from the semi-circle model with winglets and a 120 mm petiole. Parallel leaf installations showed reduced output due to interference. The study demonstrates that increasing leaf size from 150x100 mm to 210x140 mm significantly affects power output, with up to 379 times increase at wind speed of 3 m/s. However, piezoelectric materials proved inefficient and damage-prone for this application. Future research may explore larger models and additional parameters, considering the nonlinear relationship between size increase and power output.

Keywords: Energy harvesting, Wind energy, Piezoelectric.