A STUDY ON THE DESIGN OF AN ENERGY-HARVESTING STAIRCASE FROM HUMAN WALKING USING MECHANICAL MECHANISMS INTEGRATED WITH PIEZOELECTRIC PLATES

Abstract

This research aims to 1) study the operation of a mechanical stair-climbing power generation system combined with the installation of piezoelectric material devices, and 2) study the economic feasibility of investing in a mechanical stair-climbing power generation system combined with the installation of piezoelectric material devices. Experimental tests were performed using three body weights of 50, 60, and 70 kg, with step frequencies of 30, 60, and 120 steps per minute. The results demonstrated that the crank mechanism functioned effectively in conjunction with the piezoelectric plates, and body weight was found to have a significant influence on the output voltage. A maximum voltage of 7.2 V was achieved when a subject with 70 kg body weight walked on the staircase. Furthermore, the system responded well to both low and high stepping frequencies, producing an average output power of 2.2 W per step. When operated continuously for 8 hours per day, the staircase was estimated to generate approximately 403.2 kWh of electricity per month, which is equivalent to a cost saving of about 1,612.8 THB. Based on these results, the estimated payback period for the system was calculated at 2 years and 9 months. Overall, the findings suggest that the energy-harvesting staircase provides a promising alternative renewable energy source and is particularly suitable for installation in high-traffic areas, such as public buildings and transportation hubs.