Energy harvesting from wood floor vibration using a piezoelectric generator

Vibration can occur in wood floor systems as a consequence of a variety of human activities, ranging from common daily movements associated with individuals living in homes to high-intensity activities associated with sporting events that are held in large sports arenas. For example, the potential for harvesting energy from a wooden floor system in public buildings during daily rush hours could be substantial. In this pilot study, an energy harvesting system was developed to investigate the feasibility of harvesting energy from a vibrating wooden floor system. The purpose of this publication is to provide a summary of the experimental technique we developed and to present data obtained from its use.