Energy harvesting in Ev Vehicles

Energy harvesting in electric vehicles (EVs) refers to capturing and converting ambient or
wasted energy from various sources within or around the vehicle into usable electrical
power. This process aims to improve energy efficiency, extend driving range, and
enhance sustainability in the transportation sector.
Need of Energy Harvesting

Energy harvesting comes to the fore with electric vehicles because the price
they pay for being environmental and exhibiting many performance
advantages is that they have limited energy available. In and on these
vehicles, the energy snatched from heat, light, movement and other sources
may be milliwatts or less to drive wireless sensors and actuators, watts for
self sufficient lighting clusters (still in development) or - the main focus - up
to kilowatts to charge the traction battery or traction supercapacitor that
provide motive energy to the electric traction motors.
Types of Energy Harvesting Method is used in Electric Vehicles

1. Piezoelectric Harvesting
2. Electromagnetic Harvesting
3. Regenerative System
4. Photo Voltaic Harvesting
1. Piezoelectric Harvester

 Definition

Mechanical vibrations and movements from the vehicle's suspension or chassis can be
converted into electricity using kinetic or piezoelectric systems. These are often used to power
low-energy devices like wireless sensors, but research is ongoing to scale up their output.

 Working Principle

The harvester is composed of a motion conversion component and an energy conversion

component. The motion conversion component converts the linear motion between the vehicle
body and wheels to rotary motion, and the energy conversion component converts the
vibration energy to electric energy. Because of the high frequencies of the magnetic excitation
forces applied to the piezoelectric patches and the low friction between the stator and rotator
ring, the new harvester proposed in this research has a high energy harvesting efficiency. .
 Diagram with Working

A schematic diagram of the piezoelectric energy

harvester and its geometry are shown in Figure
1. The harvester is connected in parallel with the
shock absorber of the original vehicle. The
schematic diagram illustrates that the motion
conversion component is composed of a ball
screw shaft and nut, and the energy conversion
component is composed of an outer stator ring
and an inner rotator ring. Rectangular magnetic
slabs of the same size are uniformly mounted in
the circumferential direction on the inner circular
surface of the
stator ring. The piezoelectric patches are
embedded between
the magnetic slabs and the stator ring and have
the same
rectangular dimensions as the magnetic slabs.
The rotator
ring is connected to the ball screw through a
spline structure to achieve torque transmission.
On the outer circumference of the rotator ring, a
set of magnetic slabs with the exact same size of
 Factors affecting the energy harvesting

The influence of various parameters on harvested power is theoretically discussed:

• Vehicle speed: Higher speeds increase the RMS of generated power.

• Piezoelectric and magnetic slab dimensions: Increased thickness and length, and decreased
width and spacing, improve power output.
• Magnet properties: Higher residual flux density yields more power.
• Road roughness: Rougher roads (higher roughness coefficient) enhance vibration intensity and
thus energy harvesting

 Conclusion

Numerical simulation results from the present piezoelectric harvester model show that the RMS of
the generated electric power increases with an increase in the length and thicknesses of the
piezoelectric patch and the magnetic slab, the driving
speed of the vehicle, the residual flux density of the magnet, and the road roughness. In addition, the
RMS increased with
a decrease in the space between the stator ring and the rotator ring and the width of the
piezoelectric patch and the magnetic slab. It was found that a practical configuration of the present
design was shown to provide a power up to 332.4 W.

The research presented in this work provides a new method of efficient and practical energy
 References and Bibliography
2. Electromagnetic Harvester

 Definition

Harvester in which, electricity generation take place by the motion of magnets

and coils from road-induced vibrations or movement.

 Working Principle

Electromagnetic energy harvesting generates electricity by exploiting the

relative motion between a magnetic field and a coil of wire. When a magnet
moves within or near a coil, it induces an electric current in the coil due to
electromagnetic induction—a fundamental principle described by Faraday’s
Law
 Diagram with Working

Computer aided design (CAD) software is used for the drawing of

the energy regenerative suspension system (EReSS). This is to
ensure that the component can be fabricated with accurate
dimension. The chosen concept is shown in Figure 1. Material used
for each of the part on the EReSS is different depending on the part
function. The EReSS designed is retrofit which does not disturb the
present vehicle suspension system. It is also functions automatically
without any other power source so that the EReSS can give out
maximum electrical generation for the vehicle usage. The prototype
is then attached parallel to the suspension which along with
suspension
 Factors affecting the energy harvesting

The influence of various parameters on harvested power is practically discussed

o Frequency of vibration: The frequency of the vibration of the vehicle`s suspension determines
the voltage output.
Depending on the particular frequency its further depends on -
• Diameter of coil: Smaller in diameter of coil , the voltage output increased.
• Winding of the coil: With increase in winding of the coil, the voltage output increased
 Conclusion

The EReSS is fabricated and tested on the laboratory. The result shows that EReSS can generate electrical energy by
harvesting the vertical vibration of suspension. The number of windings and coil diameter affected the voltage
output. The higher the number of windings and smaller diameter of coil will give out higher voltage output of the
EReSS. The frequency of the test also plays important role in producing better performance. The EReSS can be used
on hybrid and electric vehicles to increase the efficiency and re-duce fuel consumption. Furthermore, it can help on
charging the batteries of the vehicle. Other than that, the EReSS can reduce the work load on the engine because the
alternator usage is reduced as the EReSS supplied alternative electrical energy to the vehicle.
 References and Bibliography
3. Energy-Regenerative System(Hydraulic Powered Braking)

 Definition
The term "regenerative hydraulic braking" is not a standard industry term, but it
can refer to two related concepts: regenerative braking in electric vehicles (EVs)
and hydraulic power assist systems in heavy vehicles or commercial transportation.

 Working Principle
Regenerative braking in EVs uses the electric motor as a generator to convert
kinetic energy during deceleration into electrical energy, which is then stored in the
battery for later use. When the driver releases the accelerator or applies the brake
pedal, the motor reverses its function, slowing the vehicle and generating
electricity.

.
 Diagram with working

A hybrid electric vehicle is taken as the

research object. The vehicle consists of
driving wheel, main reducer, gear box,
motor, power battery, DC/AC, converter,
controller and energy management system
in the process of braking energy recovery,
as shown in Figure 1. When the vehicle is in
the driving state, the engine and the motor
are selected as the power source. When the
vehicle is in the braking state, the brake
signal obtained according to the position
sensor on the brake pedal is transmitted to
the vehicle controller to calculate the total
required braking force. The total braking
force is distributed by the braking energy
recovery control unit between the front and
rear axles and between the mechanical and
motor braking forces. Then the motor
provides the required regenerative braking
torque, and part of the kinetic energy
generated by braking is converted into
electrical energy and stored in the power
 Factors affecting the energy harvesting

 The amount of braking force applied directly influences the energy that can be
recovered
• The accumulator stores pressurized fluid; its initial pressure affects how much
additional energy it can absorb. Proper accumulator precharging is critical for
maximizing energy recovery.
• Regenerative braking effectiveness depends on vehicle speed; below a certain speed
threshold, energy recovery is minimal or not possible
• High-efficiency hydraulic components improve regenerative performance.

 Conclusion

Regenerative hydraulic braking is an effective energy recovery solution for heavy vehicles,
offering high power handling, fuel savings, and durability, but with some trade-offs in
energy storage density and system complexity
 Conclusion and Bibliography
4. Photo Voltaic Harvesting

 Definition
Photovoltaic (PV) harvesting in electric vehicles (EVs) involves integrating solar
panels to convert sunlight into electricity, supplementing the vehicle's battery
and reducing reliance on grid charging.

 Working Principle
When sunlight (photons) strikes these cells, electrons are freed, creating a flow
of direct current (DC) electricity through the photovoltaic effect which is then
directly fed to a DC-DC converter, which steps up the voltage to match the EV's
high-voltage (HV) traction battery.
 Diagram and Working

A typical PV energy harvesting system for EVs includes

the following main components, as depicted in most
solar cell or system diagrams:
• Solar Panels (PV Cells): Installed on the vehicle’s
roof, hood, or sides.
• Charge Controller (MPPT): Ensures the panels
operate at maximum efficiency and protect the
battery from overcharging.
• Battery (or Buffer Storage): Stores the harvested
solar energy for later use.
• DC-DC Converter: Adjusts the voltage to match the
EV’s main battery system.
• Vehicle Battery (Traction Battery): The main battery
used for propulsion.
• Auxiliary Loads: Systems like lighting, infotainment,
and climate control that can be powered directly by solar
energy.
Each PV cell consists of layers of n-type and p-type
silicon, forming a p-n junction The electric field at the p-n
junction separates these charges electrons move to the
n-type layer, holes to the p-type layer. This movement
generates a direct current (DC) electrical voltage across
the cell The DC electricity flows from the panels to a
 Factors affecting the energy harvesting

• Power output is most directly influenced by solar irradiance, panel efficiency, size, and
environmental conditions
• Voltage is determined by the battery system requirements and managed by the MPPT and
DC-DC converter, but is also indirectly affected by shading, temperature, and system
losses.
• Real World Conditions such as route, shading, and weather significantly impact the
practical energy harvested and thus the vehicle’s range and performance

 Conclusion

Photovoltaic harvesting in EVs can provide a significant increase in range and energy
autonomy, especially in sunny regions and for vehicles with large roof areas. While the
maximum power output is limited by panel size and sunlight, real-world studies show up to 40%
range extension is possible under optimal conditions, with daily energy harvests of 1.5–8 kWh
depending on vehicle type and environment.
 Reference and Bibliography
Thank You