Optimization of a piezoelectric energy harvester for environmental broadband vibrations

Energy scavenging systems (ESS) can be important, theoretically endless, sources of energy. In the future, they could recharge or even replace batteries. In this paper a design methodology is presented in order to maximize the harvested energy and the transduction efficiency of a cantilever-like piezoelectric scavenger. The role of geometrical parameters is investigated through a theoretical analysis based on an equivalent lumped-parameter circuit, while their optimum value is chosen by means of FEM simulations.