Energy harvesting using kinetic energy of vehicles

Road Power Generation (RPG) is one of the new power generation concepts in the world. By installing a flip plate on the road, this device converts the kinetic energy of the vehicles into Electrical Energy. This process is carried out by installing moving plate on the road with a mechanical system un

Project Title

Energy harvesting using kinetic energy of vehicles

Project Area of Specialization

Robotics

Project Summary

Road Power Generation (RPG) is one of the new power generation concepts in the world. By installing a flip plate on the road, this device converts the kinetic energy of the vehicles into Electrical Energy. This process is carried out by installing moving plate on the road with a mechanical system underneath. The flip plates capture very small movement from the vehicles and transfers that energy into electrical energy. The mechanical process of converting reciprocating linear motion (of the plates) to rotary motion (supplied to the generator) was a key challenge. This machine converts reciprocating motion to rotary motion by rack and pinion mechanism. The rotary motion of the pinion is thus provided to the generator via a chain sprocket system. Furthermore, additional gears are employed to increase the rpm of the motion. The generator used is a Permanent magnet DC generator. 

Project Objectives

·         A prototype consisting of a flip plate, rack and pinion and a flywheel system which captures wasted kinetic energy from the vehicles.

·         Integration of the prototype with a generator.

·   Charging system for the sufficient charging and monitoring

Project Implementation Method

Road power generation has been a recent advancement in the power generation sector. Over the past decade several Road Power Generation methods have been employed. Some of the types of RPG include; Generation of electricity with the use of speed breakers, Generation of electricity using wasted heat energy of tires, Generation of electricity using Piezoelectric material. The concept we have applied is Road Power generation using sliding mechanism or flip plate mechanism. This machine harnesses kinetic energy from vehicles using the flip plate. It uses “rack and pinion mechanism” to convert reciprocating linear motion to rotary, while the method “crank and slider mechanism”. Both the methods use pulleys to increase the revolutions per minute to drive the generator.

Benefits of the Project

Road Power Generation(RPG) is a new technology for developing countries like Pakistan. Pakistan is facing severe energy crisis at the moment. With the world shifting towards renewable energy sources, we need additional power sources. This project can be set up on roads with heavy traffic, in malls or cinemas etc.

The direct beneficiaries of this project can be the government or companies who will help install it on the roads, while the indirect beneficiaries can be all those who will benefit from this energy production.

Accordingly the identified socio-economic benefits of RPG are mentioned below:

•          Increased Standard of Living.

•          Better Entrepreneurship Opportunities.

•          Support to Industries.

•          Healthy Environment

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

It is a hardware prototype of a road power generation unit. The system includes a flip plate system integrated with a mechanical system, that converts kinetic energy of vehicles into rotational energy which generates electricity with the help of a generator. In addition, a charging system helps to monitor the health of the battery. 
The mechanical system consists of three rack and pinion systems which transfers rotational energy to another shaft connected to a generator via a chain sprocket system. This rotational energy is stored via a flywheel system and provided to the generator.

Final Deliverable of the Project

Hardware System

Type of Industry

Energy

Technologies

Others

Sustainable Development Goals

Affordable and Clean Energy

Required Resources

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