Foot Step Generator Using Piezoelectric Sensor

ABSTRACT

In today’s world, the need for power is increasing at a very fast pace. The problem faced by lack of power may have a number of solutions and the generation of power using footsteps is among one of the infinite ways of producing renewable resources of energy. In this power generation method power is generated using force applied during walking, the piezoelectric sensors are used as the source of generation of power. In this model, the series connection of the piezoelectric is further connected to a circuit that helps in storing the power generated. This energy can be generated while walking on certain arrangements like footpaths, stairs, stations, etc. and can be generated in any densely populated area for maximum efficiency. This study is aimed at building a device that will produce an electrical energy by changing  mechanical energy of the development of individual on the floor to electrical energy using piezoelectric sensors.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page

Certification page

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Abstract

Nomenclature

Table of contents

List of Abbreviations

List of Figures

List of Tables

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION

• Background of Study
• Statement of Problem
• Aim and Objectives
• Significance of Study
• Study Scope
• Outline of the Project

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

• Review of Related Theories
• Review of Related works
• Research Gap
• Conclusion

CHAPTER THREE

MATERIALS AND METHOD

• Introduction
  • Block Diagram
• Design Calculations
• Design Implementation
  • Complete Circuit Diagram
  • Packaging/Casing
  • The Working Principle of the project
• Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME)
• Testing
• Results and Analysis

CHAPTER FOUR DISCUSSION

• Introduction
• Discussion

CHAPTER FIVE

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

• Conclusion
• Recommendation

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background of Study

A reliable power supply is an essential part of any nation thriving toward economic growth and national development. Nigeria, being the giant of Africa and home to the largest economy in Africa as at 2014, cannot boast of a steady power supply due to the state of the power sector operations (Abdulkareem et al., 2016). It is no longer news that the national power system has been identified with frequent outages. This advertently caused the cost of living to increase as citizens now have to consider the cost of running their private generators. Furthermore the negative role it plays in industrial and economic development has to be considered. Industries and companies refrain from production activities in the nation because of the outrageous cost of running their power sources. This has also caused some of the existing industries to collapse due to the unavailability of electricity thereby resulting in the loss of jobs in those industries and further increase in the hardship faced by the populace of this country (Nwankwo et al., 2013).

Over the years, there have been reforms in the power sector to curb the many deficiencies which the power sector experiences. Notable progress has been made in the generating sector after the deregulation of the generating wing of PHCN. Regardless of that, the problem of power outages and unavailability of consistent power still plague innocent citizens. The reason is that the grid’s weak infrastructure is characterized by high line losses and unbalance of reactive power between generation and load center due to forced outages and system disturbances (Abdulkareem et al., 2016), and cannot support the effective transmission of power to the areas where it is needed for utilization. This rises the need for a renewable power source which footstep generator using piezoelectric sensors is one of such. The essence of implementing renewable energy (footstep generator using piezoelectric sensor) is for the supply of a clean, reliable, adequate and economically priced power supply for the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

In this power generation method, power is generated using force applied during walking, the piezoelectric sensors are used as the source of generation of power. In this model, the series connection of the piezoelectric is further connected to a circuit that helps in storing the power generated. This energy can be generated while walking on certain arrangements like footpaths, stairs, stations, etc. and can be generated in any densely populated area for maximum efficiency.

1.2 Statement of Problem

If there is one factor that has perpetually maintained the status of Nigeria as a less developed country, it is its electricity sector. Till date, many households and industrial businesses cannot be guaranteed of 24 hours supply of electricity from the National grid. At this stage of Nigeria’s social and economic development, the country cannot deliver sufficient energy to the citizens despite huge financial resources that have been expended in the sector.

Rather, Nigerians have continued to rely on electricity generators for their power supply, fuel marketers are taking significant portion of households, institutions of learning, and businesses incomes to supply power, noise pollution from regular humming generators have become integral part of living for many Nigerians with imaginable consequences on their health. However, with cheap and non-conventional ways of generating power such as this (that is generating power using force applied during walking, the piezoelectric sensors are used as the source of generation of power.), people would be able to have access to clean power, and there would be regular continuity in human services, making the environments free from toxic substances caused by these burnt fuel fossils that is harmful to human begins.

1.3 Aim and Objectives

The main aim of this work is to build a device that will produce an electrical energy by changing  mechanical energy of the development of individual on the floor to electrical energy. The objectives of the study are:

1. To build the system prototype
2. To provide efficiency, steadiness in the use of power appliances, by ensuring continuous availability of power supply in the cause of main outage during an execution of an important or an urgent assignment. Thereby enabling the department meet up with its office duties even when power from the national grid is not available.

• Reduce load on the National grid that turn to be reduce the overall energy consumption dependency on the main energy supply in the country

1. Decrease customer utility bill on energy utilization because of its non-fuel consumption, low price and maintenance cost as compared to the convectional sources of power supplies.
2. Finally, reduce carbon discharges and subsequently reduce global warming particularly in a period when poor climatic change has become a threat to human survival and life in general to all living creatures hence an ever increasing concern to control it.

1.4 Significance of Study

This study will serve as means of studying the cause of scarcity of energy resources and rising energy prices due primarily to a world of increasing demand, energy security which occurs both for private and public sector alike. The study will also serve as an eye opener that will make the reader to understand how renewable energy will affect the growth of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) due to challenges in electricity and oil production.

The thesis will provide a platform for scientists and academicians all over the world to promote, share, and discuss various new issues and developments in different areas of renewable energy.

1.5 Study Scope

A footstep power generation is built in this project using piezoelectric sensors that are connected in series to increase the voltage output, this sensor generates AC voltage which is transferred to the bridge rectifier. The output voltage from the sensors can be of two types because it produces AC voltage: Positive: When positive voltage is received then it is passed into the forward bias mode which will in turn charge the battery. Negative: When a negative voltage is received then it is transferred to the reverse bias of the bridge rectifier.

• Outline of the Project

The work is organized as follows: chapter one discuss the introductory part of the work,   chapter two presents the literature review of the study, chapter three describes the methods applied, chapter four discusses the results of the work, chapter five summarizes the research outcomes and the recommendations.

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0                                  Conclusion and recommendation

5.1     Conclusion

This device is used in converting a foot step, walking and running energy into electrical energy. It is used to generate electricity from by walking or running on foot step. The demand of electrical energy is increasing day by day. But power generation conventional resources are now not enough for total demand of electrical energy. Therefore many researchers and engineers are working on non-conventional ways of electrical power generation. Foot step power generation system is also a non-conventional electrical energy production system. It converts mechanical energy of foot-steps into electrical energy by using transducers. This power generation system can become very popular among populated countries like Pakistan, china, India. It can be implemented on roads, bus stations and many public places. Although this system is little bit expensive, but it can make a huge difference in electrical power generation of country.

At the end of this work, the aim and objective was achieved, which is converting a foot step, walking and running energy into electrical energy. It is used to generate electricity from by walking or running on foot step which can be used in charging devices such as cellphone. Piezoelectric sensor interfaced with system circuit and used as a transducer to convert force energy into electrical energy. It is consists of large number of Piezoelectric sensors connected in series. Kinetic energy of series connected transducers is converted into electrical energy. Voltages generated by piezoelectric sensors are feed to circuit elements to get proper output. Output energy is stored in batteries via USB cable.

• Recommendation

This device is nothing but a portable cell phone battery charger. The voltage generated by series of sensors is stored in cell phones batteries. This voltage can be used to drive other DC loads. Users are advised to use it for devices built to accept 5volts only and for no reason the output terminal will be short-circuited.

Having carefully selected the entire component that are required for the construction of the device and built according to the circuit diagram we were able to design and construct a workable foot step power generation using piezoelectric sensor system used in charging cellphone battery.

This device is not designed for Cell phone battery whose emf is beyond 5volts; otherwise the charge output voltage will not be sufficient to carry out any meaniful charging operation.

This project is designed to be used in our homes, offices and industries where there is need for mobile phone battery charging. And should be used and maintain by a qualified personnel.