Wind induced energy harvesting with an aero-elastic resonator: Effect of the bluff body diameter

Ambient energy harvesting from the airflow environment is defined through an additional mechanical structure exposed to wind force. Using a simplified vortex shedding model, the cylinder was modelled like a bluff body interaction with flowing air. The mechanical resonator was composed of the cylinder attached to the beam with a piezo patch. The vortex shedding on the cylinder was modelled as Van der Pol oscillator. In particular, the effect of cylinder diameter on the output voltage was analysed. The growth of the wind speed interval the top voltage output were reported as a result of the increasing diameter. The uncertainty the power output caused by the uncertain bluff body diameter increased considerably at the upper edge of Vortex Induced Vibration mechanism.