Anemokinetics: Transformation of Tree Branch Movements into an Energy Source

According to Steven Shaviro (2012) continuous flows of energy are involved in Nature. Energy neither arises nor disappears, but only passes from one state to another (the first law of thermodynamics). And it also means that energy is constantly consumed or dissipated as the gradients decrease and entropy increases (second law of thermodynamics). Emerging technologies and contemporary cultural context allow scientists, inventors and artists to invade this continuous cycle of energy transformation in order to use this resource for various needs. This project offers one of the new approaches to invading the aforementioned cycle. Namely, this study explores the potential of generating electricity using repetitive oscillatory movements of tree branches. Accordingly, one of the main objective of this project is to develop a mechanism capable of transforming the movement of branches into electricity. To achieve this goal, first an analysis of tree branch movements was carried out. This analysis included tracking fluctuations of branches in order to identify the average deflection from the initial position of the branch. As a result, it was found that, depending on the type of branch, the height of its location and the wind speed, fluctuations may vary from 1 to 25 cm. Further work was carried out to develop a mechanism capable of converting these waverings into electricity. For this purpose, it was decided to use the piezoelectric method of generating electricity. The developed mechanism consists of a piezo disc fixed between the movable part which is the sail and the static element, which is a branch fastening. As a result, of testing the prototype in nature conditions, a constant current of 0,1 amperes and 3,6 volts was obtained. The project proposal involves the use of generated electricity for the purpose of navigation in urbanized spaces, where nature in the form of a green infrastructure has partially gone out of control, creating shaded and wild areas.Thus, this project can be an alternative to the complex and expensive lighting infrastructure, which entails the cutting down of these areas. Keywords: tree movements, tree energy, energy harvesting, green energy, green infrastructure, wind energy, piezoelectricity, design, lighting, urban navigation