Self Charging Electric Vehicles. Energy harvesting from moving elements in a electric vehicle whilst moving

Energy Harvesting in Self-Charging Electric Vehicles

Self-Charging Electric Vehicles (SCEVs) can harvest energy from various sources while in motion. Here are some of the key methods:

1. Regenerative Braking: Converts kinetic energy into electrical energy during braking, which is then stored in the vehicle’s battery¹.

2. Suspension Systems: Harvest energy from the vibrations and movements of the suspension system¹.

3. Piezoelectric Materials: Generate electricity from mechanical stress, such as pressure changes from the tires on the road².

4. Thermoelectric Generators: Capture waste heat from the vehicle’s powertrain to generate electricity¹.

5. Photovoltaic Cells: Integrated into the bodywork, these cells convert sunlight into electrical energy, as seen in vehicles like the Sono Sion¹.

These technologies not only improve the efficiency of electric vehicles but also contribute to a more sustainable transportation system by utilizing energy that would otherwise be wasted.

Self-Charging Electric Vehicles: Energy Harvesting and Power Generation

Energy harvesting in electric vehicles (EVs) is a growing field aimed at improving efficiency and range. Here are some methods, including those found on blog.cbaconsult.eu and other sources, as well as innovative ideas:

1. Regenerative Braking: Converts kinetic energy into electrical energy during braking. A typical EV can recover approximately 5-10 kW during braking events¹.

2. Solar Panels: Integrated solar panels can generate around 200-300 watts under optimal conditions².

3. Piezoelectric Materials: Installed in the suspension system, they can harvest energy from road vibrations, although the power output is not specified in the sources³.

4. Thermoelectric Generators: Can convert heat from the vehicle’s engine or exhaust into electricity, potentially generating up to 600 watts⁴.

5. Hydraulic Systems: Harvest energy from the fluid in shock absorbers on uneven roads, converting it into electricity to improve ride comfort and reduce cooling demand¹.

6. Dynamical Dynamo: An onboard system that could potentially generate power, but specific output details are not provided¹.

7. Wind Turbines: Small-scale turbines could harness wind energy, but the power output is generally low due to size and efficiency constraints.

8. Energy-Harvesting Shock Absorbers: Convert kinetic energy from suspension movement into electrical energy, potentially generating 100-400 watts per shock absorber¹.

9. Nanogenerators: Capture energy from friction when car tires roll across the road, still in developmental stages³.

Innovative Ideas:

• Rotational Energy Harvesters: Attach generators to the wheels powered by their rotation, with efficiency depending on design and torque control strategies¹.

• Vibration Energy Harvesting: Utilize vehicle vibrations to generate electricity through devices installed in constantly moving parts.

• Electromagnetic Induction: Use the changing magnetic field around electric motors to induce current in nearby coils, converting magnetic energy into electrical energy.

Maglev Technology for Power Generation:

Maglev technology, known for its use in high-speed trains, can be inverted to generate power. By using the principles of magnetic levitation, frictionless bearings can be created, which could be equipped with generators to convert the rotational energy of the wheels into electrical energy. This could potentially provide a significant power source for EVs, although specific power output estimates are not provided in the sources⁵⁶.

Power Requirements for Charging EV Batteries:

The power required to fully charge an EV’s battery depends on its capacity. For example, a 60 kWh battery would need 60 kWh of energy to charge fully. While the energy harvesting techniques mentioned can contribute to this requirement, they are unlikely to fully charge the battery on their own. Instead, they can extend the vehicle’s range and reduce the frequency of plug-in charging.

To optimally configure and equip the turning wheels with an energy-producing element, one could consider motorized wheels with in-wheel motors that act as generators when the vehicle is coasting or braking, optimizing the energy recovery process¹. Efficiency optimization in the electric motors, including the inverter, is also crucial to maximize the energy harvested from the wheels⁷.

The exact amount of power generated by each method will vary based on the vehicle’s design, speed, and driving conditions. However, these techniques can collectively enhance the self-charging capabilities of an EV.

Exploring the potential of self-charging electric vehicles (EVs) involves a variety of energy harvesting techniques and innovative methods to generate power. Here’s an analysis of different methods, their potential power output, and the utilization of a hydrogen fuel cell engine:

Energy Harvesting Techniques:

1. Regenerative Braking: Converts kinetic energy during braking into electrical energy.

   • Low efficiency: 0.5 kWh

   • Medium efficiency: 1.5 kWh

   • High efficiency: 2.5 kWh

2. Solar Panels: Convert solar energy into electrical energy.

   • Low efficiency: 0.1 kWh/day

   • Medium efficiency: 0.5 kWh/day

   • High efficiency: 1 kWh/day

3. Piezoelectric Materials: Generate electricity from mechanical stress.

   • Low efficiency: 0.01 kWh

   • Medium efficiency: 0.05 kWh

   • High efficiency: 0.1 kWh

4. Thermoelectric Generators: Utilize waste heat to generate electricity.

   • Low efficiency: 0.02 kWh

   • Medium efficiency: 0.1 kWh

   • High efficiency: 0.5 kWh

5. Hydraulic Systems: Harvest energy from fluid in shock absorbers¹.

   • Low efficiency: 0.05 kWh

   • Medium efficiency: 0.2 kWh

   • High efficiency: 0.4 kWh

Innovative Energy Generation Methods:

• Electrodynamic Harvesting: Utilizes wheel rotation to generate electricity through electromagnetic induction.

• Inverted Maglev Technology: Could be used to create frictionless bearings in wheels, converting rotational energy into electrical energy with minimal losses.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Utilization:

• A hydrogen fuel cell can charge a 60 kW battery pack at rates up to 50 kW, with a 0-80% charge taking less than an hour.

Best Utilization for Hydrogen Engine:

• Charging Battery Pack: Suitable for urban driving with frequent access to charging stations.

• Direct Propulsion: More efficient for long-distance travel due to quick refueling and no need for a large battery pack.

Energy Requirements for Self-Charging:

• To fully charge a 60 kW battery pack, the energy harvesting systems must generate at least 60 kWh of electricity.

Assumption Calculation:

• Driving at 120 km/h for 60 minutes, the EV would cover 120 km. Assuming an efficiency of 6 km/kWh, the vehicle would consume 20 kWh. To arrive home fully charged, the energy harvesting systems would need to generate 20 kWh plus the energy consumed during the trip. The actual power generated will depend on the efficiency and capacity of each system implemented in the vehicle. Calculations for low, medium, and high efficiency and capacity scenarios are as follows:

  • Low Efficiency and Capacity: Assuming a 10% efficiency, the system would need to generate 200 kWh during the trip to fully charge the battery.

  • Medium Efficiency and Capacity: At 50% efficiency, the system would need to generate 40 kWh during the trip.

  • High Efficiency and Capacity: With 90% efficiency, the system would need to generate approximately 22.22 kWh during the trip.

These calculations provide a rough estimate of the power that needs to be generated by the energy harvesting systems to ensure the electric vehicle can arrive home fully charged. The actual figures will depend on the specific technologies and their implementation in the vehicle. For the hydrogen fuel cell to charge the battery pack to arrive home fully charged, it would depend on the continuous power output of the fuel cell and the total energy requirement of the vehicle during the trip. If the fuel cell can provide a continuous output that meets or exceeds the vehicle’s consumption rate, then it would be possible to arrive home fully charged. However, this is contingent on the efficiency and capacity of the fuel cell system installed in the vehicle.