Rain-Induced Vibration Energy Harvesting Using Nonlinear Plates with Piezoelectric Integration and Power Management

• Published in: Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 25; no. 14; p. 4347
• Main Authors: Wang, Yi-Ren, Lin, Wei Ting, Huang, Bo-Jang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 11.07.2025; MDPI
• Subjects: Alternative energy sources; Comparative analysis; Design; Efficiency; Electricity; Energy industry; Energy storage; Energy use; Force and energy; Green technology; Infrastructure (Economics); power management circuit; PZT sensors; Rain; rain energy harvesting; renewable energy; Sensors; slapping force; Software; Solar energy; Vibration; Taiwan; renewable energy; rain energy harvesting; slapping force; PZT sensors; power management circuit
• ISSN: 1424-8220; 1424-8220
• DOI: 10.3390/s25144347

Vibration energy offers promising potential for renewable energy harvesting, especially in conditions where conventional sources such as solar power may be limited or intermittent. This study proposes a rain energy harvester (REH) that converts the kinetic energy of raindrops into electrical energy using nonlinear thin plates, integrated with piezoelectric elements. Two plate configurations—fully hinged (H-H-H-H) and clamped–hinged–free–hinged (C-H-F-H)—are investigated. Theoretical modeling and simulation results are compared with experimental data, with special attention paid to the role of slapping forces in improving prediction accuracy. A power management system is also introduced to stabilize and regulate the harvested voltage. Results confirm the feasibility of rain-induced energy harvesting, showing potential for application in rain-prone areas and integration with existing infrastructure such as solar panels, tents, or canopies.