Hydro Energy Harvesting by Using Compliant Surfaces: Preliminary Experimental Assessment

Abstract

In this work consideration is given for hydro energy harvesting contained in residual water streams. The idea lies in the bifurcation of the stream into two channels separated by a compliant surface or membrane which, albeit with equalized static pressure at both sides, nevertheless with a relative velocity. As a result of the differential dynamic pressure, a steady-state harmonic motion is established which might be transformed into an electrical output. A first experimental assessment of this idea constitutes the core of this presentation.