RESEARCH PROGRESS OF PIEZOELECTRIC WIND ENERGY HARVESTERS BASED ON VORTEX-INDUCED VIBRATION

In recent decades, with the rapid developments of IoT, there appear lots of independent low-energy -consumption electronic devices, e.g., the wireless sensors, portable medical devices, and microelectronic systems, how to provide reliable, clean and self-sufficient power for these devices is posing a great challenge. Providing power to distributed electronic devices through traditional chemical batteries is proving to be difficult. These batteries inherently possess a limited operational lifespan, and the exponential increase in the number of micro-electronic systems has consequently made replacement costs rise dramatically. Moreover, the disposal of the used batteries poses significant risks to the natural environment. In contrast, wind energy is a green energy, it also has advantages such as extensive distribution, substantial storage capacity, and non-pollution. Consequently, harvesting wind energy and converting it into electric energy have attracted wide attention. However, the current scheme of turbine generator is exhibiting some defects, e.g., it requires a great amount of capital, demands a place featuring plenty wind, produces noise in working, covers a large area, and poses a threaten to wildlife. Thus, how to harvest low-speed wind energy efficiently with simple and cheap structures becomes a hot topic of research. Wind energy harvesting based on vortex-induced vibration is emerging as one of the most attractive technologies. It is considered as a potential solution to realize self-powering of the distributed wireless sensors in IoT. In this paper, the research progress of vortex-induced vibration energy harvester is introduced from the aspects of working principle, research progress and promotion schemes. We review and discuss the effects of enhancing schemes, such as optimization of bluff body, introducing nonlinear restoring force, and designs of multidirectional and hybrid harvester, on the energy harvesting performance of vortex-induced vibration wind energy harvester. This review may provide a reference for the design of vortex-induced vibration energy harvesters and improvement of harvesting performance. Finally, according to the current research status, the key challenges are summarized and consulted. The future research direction and prospect are presented and discussed.