Design and Manufacturing of a VIV Based Energy Harvesting Device with Multiple Cylinders

Abstract

This project aims to harness the potential of Vortex-Induced Vibrations (VIVs) for creating an environmentally friendly electricity generation device. As global attention shifts towards renewable energy due to the rapid depletion of fossil fuel reserves, our focus centers on leveraging water as an abundant and frequently utilized renewable resource for power generation. By strategically placing cylinders in a flowing water stream, vortices generated as water passes over them induce vibrations. The captured vibrational energy can subsequently be converted into a practical and sustainable form of electricity, contributing to the growing demand for clean energy solutions. Our aim is to study this phenomenon, investigate the variables influencing the behavior of the flow across cylindrical structures and then to propose an efficient energy generation method based on this phenomenon. Three cylinders are placed horizontally and as water flows over them, it interacts with the cylinders, forming vortices which causes the cylinders to oscillate vertically. This oscillation provides mechanical energy that can be them converted to electrical energy by use of an electromagnetic induction mechanism.