Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting System Asessment for Highway Sustainability

The scope of the research project includes investigation of the energy harvesting method, a feasibility study, developing a framework of the piezoelectric method, preparation of equipment and materials, conducting of lab experiments, and identifying potential future research. The amount of generating capacity will be recorded and compared with other energy harvesting methods to determine economic competitiveness. This research result indicates that voltages increase as increased HZ which represents frequency and piezo material with concrete can generates more than that with asphalt. That indicates rigid materials including concrete may generate more energy than flexible materials such as asphalt pavement. In addition, with ECC generates more voltages than typical concrete. Since this data collected is limited in number of data, further data collection will be required to discuss further about the reason of the difference. Research results indicate that the Levelized cost of energy (LCOE) is relatively high, but potential energy generation can be improved by several variables. Thus, there is an urgent need to conduct studies regarding this technology in laboratory conditions with available products in the U.S. The results of this research project will contribute to the possibility of highways’ self-supporting energy capacity.