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Electricity Generation Through Piezoelectric Crystals in High Foot Traffic Areas: A Sustainable Energy Solution
1 2 3 4 5 Department of ECE, Scient Institute of Technology, Ibrahimpatnam, Telangana, India.
Published Online: September-December 2024
Pages: 06-09
In light of escalating energy requirements and heightened apprehensions regarding environmental sustainability, the necessity for pioneering renewable energy solutions has reached an unprecedented level of urgency. Piezoelectricity, defined as the generation of electrical energy through the application of mechanical stress, presents a compelling avenue for exploration. This study investigates the capacity of piezoelectric crystals to generate electrical energy in areas characterized by significant foot traffic, such as airports, railway terminals, and retail supermarkets. When piezoelectric crystals are strategically integrated beneath flooring surfaces, the mechanical stress induced by pedestrian activity generates electrical energy. This energy can subsequently be accumulated in storage batteries for prospective utilization or augmented to satisfy local energy demands, including the operation of lighting systems, small electronic devices, or even entire sections of commercial centres or transportation hubs. This paper elaborates on the fundamental principles underlying piezoelectricity, the design of relevant systems, potential applications, inherent advantages, existing challenges, and the prospective future of piezoelectric energy harvesting technologies. Furthermore, the paper offers a comprehensive evaluation of the energy potential inherent within densely populated public spaces, bolstered by recent advancements in materials science and energy storage technologies.