CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION AND ITS BACKGROUND

Electricity Consumption worldwide has continued to rise rapidly faster than

energy consumption. From 7,300 TWh in 1980, annual electricity consumption

increased to 22,100 TWh in 2013 (Liu, 2015). The Philippines faces a mounting energy

crisis as the Malampaya natural gas fields are expected to deplete by 2024. An ever-

increasing population, an administration-mandated infrastructure boom, and some of

the highest electricity costs in Southeast Asia all combine to present formidable

challenges to energy production (Philippines-Energy, 2021). Moreover, some of the

rural areas in the country do not have a supply of Electricity.

Thus, electrical practitioners, engineers, and inventors are finding different

sources of energy where electricity can be produced. Wind, Solar, Hydroelectricity,

Geothermal, Biomass, and Nuclear, are some of the renewable energy being

implemented globally. Although, it is still not enough to accomplish the electricity

demand worldwide, specifically in the Philippines. Research is still being conducted to

discover more solutions for the energy crisis in the Philippines by providing sources

that are effective, efficient, environmental-friendly, and economical. And one of the

solutions found for this issue is energy harvesting using piezoelectricity.

In piezoelectricity, energy is produced by the piezoelectric crystal which is

placed between two metal plates. The material is perfectly balanced at this moment and

does not conduct an electric current. The metal plates then apply mechanical pressure

on the material, forcing the electric charges within the crystal out of balance which

1
results into energy generation. Since piezoelectric material can convert mechanical

vibration into electrical energy with a simple structure, piezoelectric energy harvesting

is highlighted as a self-power source of wireless sensor network systems (Kim et al.,

2011). It already converted footsteps, sounds, and vibrations into electrical energy in

the previous studies. And at this time, it will be used in harvesting energy from the

plunge produced by waterfalls. The amount of energy produced by the model which is

placed at the bottom of the waterfalls will be measured and assessed carefully. If proven

effective in producing output power for at least a residential load. The model will serve

as a big aid that will provide electricity to some of the areas in the Philippines.

Research Objectives

This research aims to apply piezoelectricity as an energy harvester by creating

a Piezoelectric Water Plunge Generator model that can absorb the pressure from the

falling water and convert the pressure into electricity. Specifically, it aims to address

the following objectives:

1. To plan and construct a product or a model that will be suitable for generating energy

using piezoelectricity on a plunge from waterfalls.

2. To fabricate and assemble the parts needed for the process of converting the pressure

of falling water to electrical energy.

3. To determine the voltage generated by the piezoelectric model.

Statement of the Problem

1. What will be the output voltage of the piezoelectric generator in relation to the

number to be used?

2
2. What will be the output voltage in the various movement of water at different level?

3. What kind of loads can the piezoelectric water plunge generator provide power to?

Significance of the Study

This research is made to provide an electrical design using a Piezoelectric

energy harvesting system across a wide range of areas by using the falling water that

can convert mechanical energy to electrical energy. This research project may be

appropriate for towns which requires a higher electricity supply based on the number

of consumers. It will be able to provide an additional and backup source of electricity

as a result of this project. It can also help to reduce power shortages by providing an

alternative to traditional power sources as well as an environmentally benign source of

energy.

Scope and Delimitation

This study was conducted to determine how efficient and effective a

piezoelectric device, specifically a piezoelectric ceramic disc in generating electricity.

It focuses only on the pressure of water from waterfalls or submersible water pump

from agricultural farms and plunged into it. In testing the device, a prototype project

was made and an artificial water plunge poured into the model is used as an alternative

water plunger.

An artificial water plunger was used to test the project instead of waterfalls,

water pumps, or agricultural water pumps. The inaccessibility of the waterfalls, as well

as the fact that the water from the falls is insufficient for testing, and the lack of water

pumps or agricultural water pumps in the area, all hinder the actual testing. The closest

3
technique to simulate a real waterfall is to create a fake cascade by manually pouring

water from the top of the building to the project.

Definition of Terms

Battery - a mechanism for storing the energy output generated by the prototype It

directly transforms chemical energy to electrical energy.

DC-DC Boost Converter - is a step-up or boost converter that increases voltage while

decreasing current from its input (supply) to its output (load). This device boosts the

output voltage of 3V to attain the necessary voltage of 24V.

Energy Harvester - is the process of obtaining energy from external sources, capturing

it, and storing it for small, wireless autonomous devices such as wearable electronics

and wireless sensor networks.

Inverter - a prototype component for converting direct current (DC) to alternating

current (AC).

Generator- is a device that converts motive power into electrical power for use in an

external circuit.

Piezoelectric Energy- a piezoelectric elements convert the kinetic energy from

vibrations, sound or pressure into electrical energy.

4
Piezoelectric Sensor- a piezoelectric sensor is a device that uses the piezoelectric effect

to measure changes in pressure, acceleration, temperature, strain, or force by converting

them to an electrical charge.

Pressure - something in contact with an object exerts a constant physical force on or

against it.

Renewable Electricity - an energy generated from 100% renewable resources like

wind energy, solar energy and hydroelectric energy.

Voltage Regulator – s designed to maintain a constant voltage level automatically. A

voltage regulator can be a simple "feed-forward" design or a complex "feed-back"

design with negative feedback control loops.

5
 CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Piezoelectric Ceramics (PZT) vs. Piezoelectric Polymers (PVDF)

It was recently studied in the previous research that the piezoelectricity of a

piezoelectric ceramic is high compared to piezoelectric polymers which is low. The

comparison between piezoelectric ceramics and piezoelectric polymers are shown in

Table 1.

Table 1. Comparison of piezoelectric ceramics (PZT) and piezoelectric polymers (PVDF)

Properties/Parameters Piezoelectric Piezoelectric

Ceramics (PZT) Polymers (PVDF)

Piezoelectricity High Low

Electromechanical coupling k31= 30 k31= 12

factor

Dielectric constant 1180 10-15

Mechanical flexibility Poor Outstanding

Curie Temperature (°C) 386 80

It is shown in the review of piezoelectric materials, that the piezoelectricity,

Electromechanical coupling factor, dielectric constant, and the Curie temperature of the

piezoelectric ceramics are higher than the piezoelectric polymers. But, the mechanical

flexibility of ceramics is poor compared to polymers which have outstanding

mechanical flexibility.

6
 The electromechanical coupling factor (k) determines the maximum efficiency

of the conversion of mechanical to electrical energy by piezoelectric material. The

magnitude of k varies with piezoelectric and electrode materials, type of loading (e.g.

excitation mode), and temperature (Covaci & Gontean, 2020).

Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting

In vibration situations, piezoelectric transducers have shown to be a useful

solution for generating low quantities of power with the goal of powering up electronic

equipment. Multiple piezoelectric transducers set to the vibration frequency of the

structure to which they are bonded produce the highest levels of power.

Piezoelectricity has various applications. It can be applied on land, water, and

air. The only thing needed is movement, vibration, or pressure to make it work. While

walking, running, jumping, or just moving from one place to another, people apply

pressure on their feet whenever they step. And since there is pressure present, previous

studies attacked piezoelectric materials on a shoe that was assessed and analyzed.

It is demonstrated how energy may be harvested from human movement.

Mobile phones, emergency flashlights, and other devices can be powered by the

generated electric energy. It can also be used to provide continuous power to a soldier's

worn devices during military operations. It can also be used to track the whereabouts

of any soldier in a remote place. It is built around a well-constructed framework of

piezo transducers of appropriate thickness and diameter, making it simple to operate

and compatible with a shoe sole. AC voltage is generated when pressure is applied to

piezoelectric discs, which are subsequently transformed to the desired output. With the

7
use of power management circuits, this energy source can become a direct current (DC)

power supply after achieving the necessary results (Ahmad et al., 2019).

Piezoelectric materials can also be applied when there is a vibration or

movement present on an object or place. Ocean waves are considered as the movement

of water which is possible to absorb energy from it that will be converted into electrical

energy using piezoelectric materials.

A piezoelectric energy harvesting system was presented that can harvest energy

from low-frequency vibrations like those caused by ocean waves. Because of the

system's design, the cantilever freely vibrated with its natural frequency in both

horizontal and vertical orientations. The frequency up-conversion and impact

generating that resulted in more power. The researchers believe that their "multi-

directional vibration" approach can be utilized to produce low-frequency piezoelectric

energy harvesters (Hwang et al., 2017).

While other studies focused on applying piezoelectric in a pair of shoe, other

studies also utilize it on floors by attaching it under the floor tiles.

The development, design, and fabrication of piezoelectric footstep generator

through a piezoelectric sensor produces electrical force by changing the mechanical

energy of the development of individuals on the floor to electrical energy. The current

project aims to harvest electrical energy through human actions, as well as the

intelligent use of material properties and public gathering situations for efficient

electricity generation that not only provides an efficient source of energy but also a

8
clean and pollution-free environment. And it has been successfully tested and deployed,

making it the most cost-effective and accessible energy alternative for the general

public. This approach can be utilized for a variety of applications in rural settings where

power is scarce or non-existent (Benitez et al., 2019).

Piezoelectric materials are not only being utilized by pressure produced by

human movements, but also by pressure produced by water and wind.

Swift river flow like a waterfall enables the generation of electricity because the

flow of waterfalls from the top of the waterfall allows that electric generator to produce

electricity. The water that falls from the top of the waterfall can produce electricity by

converting mechanical energy into electrical energy (Zakaria & Loon, 2018).

An experimental study of wind energy harvesting using self-sustained

oscillations (flutter) of a flexible piezoelectric membrane set in a unique orientation

known as the "inverted flag" is described in the paper. Parametric tests were conducted

to determine the impact of the flag's geometrical parameters on flapping behavior and

energy output.

Wind energy harvesting effectiveness of inverted piezoelectric flags has been

investigated under controlled and ambient wind settings. For energy collection, the

inverted flag arrangement has various advantages. First, the self-induced flapping

happens over a wide range of wind speeds, allowing for sustained power generation

over a wide range of wind speeds. Second, self-flutter is not based on resonance and

can be modified for various wind conditions by altering the bending stiffness of the

9
flag. Third, by altering the length of an inverted flag while maintaining the same film

thickness and mechanical qualities, it can be tailored to self-oscillate at a particular

wind speed. Due to higher bending curvatures and faster flapping frequencies, inverted

flags with higher aspect and mass ratios gathered greater amounts of electrical power

in the studies (Orrego et al., 2017).

Many parts of the world experience moderate to heavy rainfall, which can be

used to generate power as an alternative to conventional and other popular renewable

technologies.

The amount of energy harvested by REH (Raindrop Energy Harvesting) devices is

determined by the mass of the droplet, its velocity, and the mechanism by which it

strikes the harvesting device (Ilyas & Swingler, 2015).

Another component that will have a substantial impact on the energy transfer

function of the harvesting device and its power output is the impact mechanism. In

general, there are three types of impact mechanisms for a droplet hitting a solid surface:

1) bouncing, 2) spreading, and 3) splashing.

The water droplet can either totally bounce off the solid surface, leaving no

water behind, or partially bounce off the solid surface, leaving water residue. The

10
second type of water droplet is spreading on impact, which occurs when the water

adheres to the surface as it collides with it. Splashing is the third type of water droplet,

which occurs when the droplet breaks into multiple pieces and sticks to the surface.

After that, the droplet will be dispersed across the surface. The effect of a droplet on a

surface.

The gap in the study

Piezoelectric is applied in many objects with movement, vibration, and

pressure. It is already used on shoes, floor tiles, ocean waves, raindrops, and trains.

However, this study will focus on the power harvested by several piezoelectric ceramics

from a plunge of water in a waterfall.

11
 CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

Research Procedures

Figure 1. Flow chart of the design and development of Piezoelectric Water Plunge

Generator

12
 In Figure 1, it is shown the detailed procedure to construct the prototype of

harvesting energy using a piezoceramic. Purchasing all the materials needed through

online shopping and from an electronic store. Once the materials arrive and are

gathered, the researchers need to test the materials to identify if there are materials that

don't work to mark the material "defective,” separate them from the functional materials

and sort the materials to be used. The team will start to construct the circuit of the

piezoceramic if it is waterproof through underwater testing. If the waterproofing of the

model doesn't work, it is needed to improve the design to achieve its effectiveness.

After completing the prototype, it should undergo artificial or natural waterfalls testing

if the plan for the energy harvesting doesn't work, it is needed to improve to achieve its

efficacy.

Block Diagram

WATER PIEZOELECTRIC ENERGY

PLUNGE DEVICE HARVESTER

LOAD INVERTER BATTERY

Figure 2. Block Diagram of the primary process during the harvest of energy

The process during energy harvesting is shown in Figure 2 above. Water falls

(water plunge) from the top, which the constructed model will catch (piezoelectric

device) at the bottom, in which the pressure from the water drop will be harvested and

converted into electrical energy. It will be stored in a battery. The voltage stored in the

battery will be stepped up using the inverter and transmitted to the loads.

13
Research Design

The present study utilizes Technological Research. A model will be produced

where piezoelectric ceramics will be used as an energy harvester that absorbs the

pressure of the plunge from the waterfalls.

Figure 3a. Design of Piezoelectric Water Plunge Generator (side view)

Figure 3b. Design of Piezoelectric Water Plunge Generator (top view)

Figure 3c. Design of Piezoelectric Water Plunge Generator (wide angle)

14
 In Figure 3, the design of the model is shown where the green tubes are the

bamboos that serve as the floater. The gray outline is the acrylic glass that serves as the

outer layer that will cover the piezoelectric ceramic, and the black rectangle is the

rubber which is the inner layer that will cover the piezo. And lastly, the circles in the

figure are the piezoelectric ceramics that harvest the energy from the plunge of water.

Components/Materials

• Piezoelectric Ceramics

20mm

Resonant Frequency 6.5 ±0.5 KHz

Resonant Impedance ≤ 400 Ω

Metal plate diameter f20.0 ± 0.2 mm

Ceramic Plate diameter f15.0 ± 0.4 mm

Total Thickness 0.42 ± 0.05 mm

Metal Plate Thickness 0.2 ± 0.02 mm

Metal Material Brass (H65)

• Lead Acid Battery

12V Battery

10 x 16 x 10 cm

Sealed Lead Acid Battery

Cycle Use: 14.5 ~ 14.9 V

Standby Use: 13.5 ~ 13.8 V

Initial Current: Less than 6.0 A

• Digital Voltage Meter

15
 Voltage measurement error: ±1%

Measuring range: AC70V-500

Model: 70V-500V

Input voltage: AC500V

• Lithium Ion Battery

Voltage: 3.7V

Charging Voltage:4.2V

Low Voltage: 2.7V

Battery Capacity: 3500mAh

Max Discharge: 10A (w/o Protection Board &

Flat Type Cell)

4A (w/ Protection Board)

Recharging Current: 1A(Recommended)

• DC-DC Boost Converter

Maximum output current: 2A

(recommended for use within 1A)

Input voltage: 2 v ~ 24 v

Maximum output voltage:> 28 v

(recommended for use within 26V)

Efficiency:> 93%

• Inverter

500 Watts inverter

Use to invert 12V-230V

16
• 5V Converter

6-24V to 5V USB DC-DC Buck step

Down Converter

• USB Charging Port

7 outputs

Output voltage: 5V DC

17
Schematic Diagram

SYMBOLS
D1, D2, D3, & D4 – Bridge-type Diode
D5, D6, D7, & D8 – 6A Bridge-type Diode
C1 – 100µF/16V
C2 – 10,000µF/50V
R1 - 1000W
SW1, SW2, SW3, & SW4 – Switches

18
Diagram Description

Similar to Power System, the diagram has three (3) parts; 1) Generation, 2)

Transmission, and 3) Distribution. Generation is the part where the source of energy

which is the piezo supplies power to the battery (3.8V), it occurs from the piezo device

up to the 3.8V battery. On the other hand, transmission is where the passing, step-up,

and step-down of voltage happens. Therefore, from the 3.8V battery, towards the 12V

Lead Acid battery, transmission is present. And finally, distribution is where power is

provided to the DC and AC load, this happens from the 12V lead-acid battery up to the

230V AC output and USB Charging Port.

Components and their Function

The following are the components that comprise the circuit of the Piezoelectric Water

Plunge Generator. Their function is also stated to understand the operation of the

model correctly.

• Piezo – the source of energy

• 100µF/16V Capacitor – it is utilized to store the voltage produced by the

Piezo Device

• Digital Voltmeter – to display the amount of voltage from the piezo stored in

the 100µF/16V capacitor.

• Bridge-type Diodes/Diodes – used to stabilize the direction of the flow of

current.

• Lithium-Ion Battery – supply voltage to the voltage booster

• Voltage Booster – boost voltage from the Lithium-ion battery.

19
• 1kW Resistor – reduce the electron flowing to the LED Lights.

• 10,000µF/50V Capacitor – store the voltage produced by the voltage booster

and, in turn, will charge the Lead-Acid Battery

• Lead-Acid Battery – supply voltage to the inverter and 5V converter or

balancer.

• Battery Level Display – display the battery level and the actual voltage of the

Lead-Acid Battery.

• Inverter – to convert the 12V DC from Lead-Acid Battery to 230V AC.

• 5V Converter/Balancer – balance and distribute the voltage to the USB

charging port.

• Switch – to close and open the circuit

• USB Charging Port - utilized to charge gadgets and other devices.

• LED Lights – indicate whether the components in the circuit are on or off.

20
Billing of Material

COMPONENTS UNIT PRICE (₱) UNITE PRICE (₱)

PIEZOCERAMIC 50 7 350
LEAD-ACID BATTERY 1 800 800
INVERTER (500 watts) 1 1500 1500
LITHIUM BATTERY 1 270 270
ACRYLIC GLASS(3X510X110mm) 2 240 480
SILICON 1 180 180
CLEAR PVC TUBE (14 m) 1 280 280
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS
(CAPACITOR, DIODE, SWITCH, WIRE,
VOLTAGE REGULATOR, LED BULB) 1 477 477
BAMBOO 1 100 100
BOX 1 238 238
RUBBER MAT 1 50 50
USB PORT (7 outputs) 1 250 250
5V CONVERTER CIRCUIT 1 150 150
10,000 MICROFARAD, 50 V
CAPACITOR 1 250 250
CHARGING CONTROL 1 150 150
DC OUTPUT 3 35 100
BREADBOARD 1 100 100
TOTAL 5,725

21
 CHAPTER 4

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1. Findings and Testing

Various series-parallel connection of the fifty (50) piezoelectric ceramics were

tried during the conduct of study, and the amount voltage produced were observed in

each connection to choose the most effective series-parallel connection for the

piezoelectric water plunge generator.

Table 2. Series-parallel connection of the Piezoelectric ceramics and the amount

of voltage produced

Connection Connection Description Voltage

1 every 25 pieces of piezo ceramic 1V - 3V
are connected to parallel and the
two sets of 25 parallel-connected
piezo ceramic is connected in
series to each other
2 Every 10 piezo ceramic are 5V – 15V
connected in parallel and the five
sets of 10 parallel-connected
piezo ceramic is connected in
series.
3 Every 5 pieces of piezo ceramic 10V – 25V
are connected in parallel and the
10 sets of 5 parallel-connected
piezo ceramic are connected in
series

Shown in Table 2 above is the different series-parallel connection of the

piezoelectric ceramics that was conducted during the research project. In the first

connection, 25 pieces of piezoelectric ceramics are connected to parallel which is

connected in series to another 25 pieces of parallel-connected piezo electric ceramic.

When pressure is applied, an amount 1V to 3V was measured. In the second connection,

22
5 sets of 10 parallel-connected piezoelectric ceramics were connected in series and

measured 5V to 15V range of voltage. Lastly, 10 sets of 5 parallel-connected

piezoelectric ceramics were connected in series and read 10V to 25V range across it.

4.1.1. Voltage generated

The researchers chose the series-parallel connection where ten (10) sets of five

(5) parallel-connected piezoelectric ceramic are connected in series since this

connection produced the greatest amount of voltage.

However, there are also other factors that might affect the amount of voltage

being produced by the piezoelectric water plunge generator such as; 1) the pressure

being applied, 2) the height from where the water falls, 3) the volume of water, 4) and

others which will be discuss further.

Table 3. Amount of voltage measured based on the height from where the water

falls and its volume

3L 1 gallon

5 ft 1.6 V 2.3 V

10 ft 2.12 V 3V

20 ft 10.21 V 23 V

30 ft 7.16 V 21 V

Shown in Table 2 above that the amount of voltage will be greater if the height

from where the water falls is higher. However, the trajectory of the falling water in

higher heights can not strike the spot in the piezoelectric generator since the water

scattered before landing on the prototype based on the observation and the voltage

23
measured during a 3-liter water fell from the 30 feet building. On the other hand, the

volume of water can also affect the amount of voltage generated

Table 4. Comparison between the recorded voltage by applying pressure and the

recorded voltage by bending

Means Minimun Voltage Maximum Voltage

Recorded Recorded
Applying Pressure 2.8 V 25 V

Bending the Piezo 10.21 V 17.24 V

During the testing and observation of the piezoelectric water plunge generator,

it was observed that the range of recorded voltage by bending is better compared to the

range of recorded voltage by pressure since the minimum voltage required for the

model to function is 5V.

Moreover, in the time of observation, it was realized that the amount of voltage

keeps decreasing the longer time it is tested and utilized.

4.1.2. Energy Generated

The electrical potential energy stored in the capacitor is proportional to the

voltage in charge in the capacitor. When the capacitance of a conductor is C, it is

originally uncharged and when connected to the piezoelectric transducer, it develops a

potential difference or voltage V. Therefore, to calculate the energy stored in the

capacitor, we used the given formula

1
! = &' (
2

The capacitor in our circuit is 10,000µF capacitor. The quantity of energy stored

when the multimeter indicates 50V across the capacitor is

24


1
! = &' (
2
1
! = (10,000,10-. /)(50')(
2

! = 12.5 345678

The quantity of energy stored, if a single tap on the piezoelectric element boosts

the voltage from 0.4 V to 10 V, will be

1
! = &' (
2
1
! = (10,000,10-. /)(10' − 0.4')(
2

! = 0.4608 345678 =7> ?@=

4.2. Discussion

4.2.1. Study of Connections

The piezoelectric water plunge generator is constructed using a series-parallel

connection combination. The entire project comprises 50 piezoceramic discs, each with

10 sets of five piezos wired in parallel to ensure that they all work even if one is

damaged. The voltages are then combined together by connecting them in series.

According to Ohm's law (I=V/R), the current is directly proportional to potential

difference but inversely proportional to circuit resistance. As a result, as more

piezoceramics are linked in series, the current in the circuit is common, and the voltage

rises. Also, the current flowing in series is the same in each component and their voltage

adds up. The more piezoceramics are linked in parallel, the current increases while the

voltage is common. The 10 sets of five piezoelectric ceramics in a series-parallel

connection is the effective connection to produce the needed voltage and current in

25
order for the project to function. The pressure and volume of water being applied to it

will determine the output voltage.

4.2.2. Achievement

The following successes have been achieved by the project:

• The piezoelectric generator function has been preserved and is

completely operational.

• The mounting acrylic board for the piezoelectric generator is functional

and waterproof.

• Improvement of the measured voltage

• Development and upgrading of the circuit

4.2.3. Challenges Encountered

The challenges encountered during the design and implementation in this

project are as follows: First, difficult to find the materials needed. For instance, the

bridge type diode, DC-DC booster, and Inverter. These materials are unfamiliar and

limited only to the nearest electronics shop in Ilagan and also the watts of Inverter that

need in the research. Second, the connection of electronic components is difficult to

assemble. During testing, it is hard to charge the lithium battery because the connection

of piezoceramics is more on series than parallel. The voltage is high but the current is

low. So, it is needed to change the connection of it therefore more on parallel than series

because when piezoceramics are connected in parallel, more current flows from the

source than would flow for any of them individually. Moreover, it can’t charge the

battery because the connection of the electronic component is incomplete and hard to

assemble. Third, the durability of the prototype especially for making it waterproof so

26
that it will not be penetrated by water and the piezoceramics can’t get wet inside of it.

In addition, during testing, the battery is easily discharged so it is necessary to charge

it and to have a high current. Also, it is hard to aim the right target of the water that

falls in the prototype, and the factors such as the height, pressure, and the volume of

water that affect the volts produced needed in the voltage booster. Lastly, the required

output is difficult to establish because it necessitates extensive study.

4.2.4. Knowledge Acquired

As a result of the testing, the researchers obtain knowledge on how to develop

and enhance the construction and also logical thinking or analysis and interpretation of

the design, as well as examine circuit connections with a basic understanding of the

various components in an electric circuit. There were two types of connections tested:

parallel and series. The voltage output from the parallel connection did not improve

significantly, but the current was adequate. The output voltage increased with series

connection, but not linearly, and the current obtained was inadequate. This difficulty is

solved using a series-parallel connection that produces a good voltage and current.

Also, the difference between the piezo's output voltage when it is not directly or directly

lying down to the floater. The bending of the acrylic glass has a great impact to the

pressure on each piezo harvester and the height and volume of water falling also. The

better and higher the voltage produced, the higher and larger the amount of water that

impacts the piezo.

4.2.5. Research Observation

The goal of this research project is to harvest electrical energy by leveraging the

striking impact of free-falling water on a piezo harvester, resulting in an efficient and

27
pollution-free source of electricity. The piezoelectricity harvester was designed using

the parallel-series combination connection. To boost the current required to charge the

lead-acid battery, a piezoceramic material was first coupled in parallel with four other

piezoceramic materials. To raise the voltage, the ten pieces of paralleled materials are

then connected in series.

Other elements, such as the pressure exerted, the height from which the water

falls, and the volume of water, may, on the other hand, influence the amount of voltage

produced by the piezoelectric water plunge generator. If the height from which the

water falls is higher, the voltage will be higher. The same may be said for the volume.

The voltage produced increases as the volume increases. Furthermore, the range of

recorded voltage by bending was shown to be superior to the range of recorded voltage

by pressure.

However, there were several difficulties experienced in completing the project.

The first issue is the difficulty in obtaining the necessary materials. Another is the

connection of electronic components is very difficult to assemble. Also, to improve the

durability of the prototype is hard, particularly by making it water resistant so that water

cannot permeate it and the piezoceramics do not become wet inside. It is also difficult

to aim the correct target of the water that falls in the prototype.

Following several tests, it was learned how to build and improve the design's

construction, as well as examine circuit connections with a basic understanding of the

various components in an electric circuit. The study project's results include a

functional and waterproof mounting acrylic board for the piezoelectric generator,

increased measured voltage, a built and upgraded circuit, and, most crucially, the

piezoelectric generator function has been preserved and is fully functioning. This

project has been field tested and refined, and it has proven to be an effective,

28
environmentally friendly, and cost-efficient energy supplement for tourists visiting

powerless areas, particularly water falls.

29
 CHAPTER 5

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Summary

The research being conducted can be one of the solutions to the electrical

demand crisis being faced not only in the community but also across the globe.

Piezoelectric Water Plunge Generator is proven to be essential in providing power to

several households. It can be utilized in waterfalls and in submersible water pumps

located on agricultural farms. One of the advantages of this research is that the project

designed can be transferred from one place to another and its circuit is flexible. The

model can be used to charge gadgets and devices and to supply power to an AC load.

5.2 Conclusion

After a series of experiments, it was learned how to construct and refine the

design, as well as examine circuit connections with a rudimentary understanding of the

various components in an electric circuit. The study project's outcomes include a

functional and waterproof mounting acrylic board for the piezoelectric generator,

higher measured voltage, a created and updated circuit, and, most importantly, the

preservation and complete functionality of the piezoelectric generator. This invention

has been field-tested and modified. It has proven to be a useful, environmentally

friendly, and cost-effective energy supplement for tourists visiting powerless places,

especially waterfalls.

30
5.3 Recommendation

After the experimentation and observation of the project, the researchers

recommend the following:

• In the circuit, at least four (4) lithium batteries should be connected in parallel

in order to obtain a higher current and have longer battery life.

• The circuit fabricated can be utilized not only by pressure or piezo, but it can

also gain voltage from other sources of electrical energy such as solar, wind,

steam, water, etc.

• The size of the acrylic board should be expanded in order to increase the number

of piezoelectric ceramics with the aim to generate greater voltage and current.

• The size of the piezoelectric ceramics is suggested to be enlarged to obtain

greater voltage

• The durability of the model should be improved

• There should be monthly maintenance for the model to operate well.

31
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

[1] Covaci, C., & Gontean, A. (2020). Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Solutions:

A Review. Sensors, 20(12), 3512. https://doi.org/10.3390/s20123512

[2] Hwang, W. S., Ahn, J. H., Jeong, S. Y., Jung, H. J., Hong, S. K., Choi, J. Y.,

Cho, J. Y., Kim, J. H., & Sung, T. H. (2017). Design of piezoelectric ocean-

wave energy harvester using sway movement. Sensors and Actuators A:

Physical, 260, 191–197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sna.2017.04.026

[3] Ilyas, M. A., & Swingler, J. (2015). Piezoelectric energy harvesting from

raindrop impacts. Energy, 90, 796–806.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2015.07.114

[4] Kim, H. S., Kim, J. H., & Kim, J. (2011). A review of piezoelectric energy

harvesting based on vibration. International Journal of Precision Engineering

and Manufacturing, 12(6), 1129–1141. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12541-011-

0151-3

[5] Orrego, S., Shoele, K., Ruas, A., Doran, K., Caggiano, B., Mittal, R., & Kang,

S. H. (2017). Harvesting ambient wind energy with an inverted piezoelectric

flag. Applied Energy, 194, 212–222.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.03.016

[6] Zakaria, H. A., & Loon, C. M. (2018). The Application of Piezoelectric

Sensor as Energy Harvester from Small-scale Hydropower. E3S Web of

Conferences, 65, 05024. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/20186505024

[7] Ahmad, N., Rafique, M. T., & Jamshaid, R. (2019). Design of Piezoelectricity

Harvester using Footwear. 2019 IEEE 6th International Conference on

Engineering Technologies and Applied Sciences (ICETAS).

https://doi.org/10.1109/icetas48360.2019.9117314

32
 DOCUMENTATION

Testing and Repairing of Piezoelectric ceramics

33
Testing of other materials to be used in the circuit

34
Construction of Piezoelectric Generator

35
Construction of Piezoelectric Generator

36
Construction of Piezoelectric Generator

37
Testing of Piezoelectric Generator by applying
pressure and the initial model made

38
Spray-coloring of the prototype and the
construction of the circuit

39
Waterproofing of piezoelectric generator and the development of its
circuit

40
 Testing and measuring voltage generated in the piezoelectric water
plunge generator by pouring water on the model from different height
and with different volume

41
Testing the prototype in Pinzal Falls at Sta. Victoria,
City of Ilagan, Isabela

42
Final testing of the Piezoeelectric Water plunge
generator

43
Group photo presenting the final output for research,
Piezoelectric Water Plunge Generator

44