Implementation of raindrops energy collector board using piezoelectric transducer

Abstract

Indonesia is a country that has a fairly high rainfall, because it is located in the tropical area. This condition could be a potential for generating electrical energy from raindrops. If the heavy raindrop collide the piezoelectric materials, it can generate electrical energy. The piezoelectric effect was discovered by Jacques and Pierre Curie in 1880. They found that certain materials, when subjected to mechanical strain, suffered an electrical polarization that was proportional to the applied strain. This piezoelectric effect converts mechanical strain into electrical voltage. The molecular structure of piezoelectric materials produces a coupling between electrical and mechanical domains. In this research, raindrops will be exploited to produce electric voltage by piezoelectric transducer. Piezoelectric transducer used in this research is Lead Zirconate Titanate type. Energy conversion processing occurred when raindrop collide the polymer layer of piezoelectric and make an unelastic thrust on its surface. The designed system consists of raindrops collector board and serial connected piezoelectric transducer. From system above, highest voltage, reach is 3.13 VAC for 30 piezoelectric and the average voltage is 2.617 V. This results show us the potential usage of raindrops energy generator using piezoelectric transducer for tropical countries.