Optimization of a Piezoelectric Wind-Excited Cantilever for Energy Harvesting from Facades

The optimization of the performance of a piezoelectric cantilever for energy harvesting from façades is concerned. The harvester is designed to exploit the vortex-induced vibrations due to the fluid-structure interaction between a cylindrical bluff body and the wind flow acting on the façade. An analytical lumped parameter model of the piezo-cantilever equipped with a cylindrical bluff body is provided to estimate the frequency response function between the aerodynamic tip force and the generated open circuit voltage. The analytical frequency response function is validated using experimental tests performed on a prototype of the piezo-cantilever. Finally, the design parameters of the harvester that maximize the generated voltage are determined using an optimization algorithm.