Title of project: Using piezoelectricity to power the Demerara Harbor bridge.
Name of school: Johanna Cecilia Secondary.
Address: Johanna Cecilia, Essequibo Coast.
Telephone number: 774-5157
Names of team members: 1. Julian Cole
2. Hasim Mohammed
Name of teacher: Glynis Streete
Mentors: Not Assigned
Contents
Problem statement and significance of the problem ………………………1
Objectives of the project…………………………………………………….1
Approach or proposed solution……………………………………………...1
Competition …………………………………………………………………2
Resources needed……………………………………………………………2
Timetable……………………………………………………………………3
Use of STEM……………………………………………………………….4
Community involvement and community impact………………………….4
References…………………………………………………………….........5
Problem statement and significance of the problem
The electricity cost is high in Guyana. The present is G$48.53 to G$75.86. on average a
household pays G$10,000.00 per month. This is 20% f an average person’s salary.
Similarly, the Demerara Harbour Bridge is powered from the national grid and spend
G$1,350,000.00 per month on electricity. This is 34% of the average operational cost which will
be equivalent to G$40,000,000.00. Presently, the use of large amount of fossil fuel is being
burned to generate electricity. This releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Objectives of the project
The introduction of this project in Guyana is to provide the Demerara Harbor Bridge with a clean
source of energy. Additionally, the project aims to reduce the high cost of electricity for the
bridge.
The project will also reduce the burning of large amounts of fossil fuel thus reducing the
emission of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Approach or proposed solution
With the introduction of piezoelectricity, the cost of electricity can be reduced and also less
carbon dioxide will be released in the atmosphere.
Piezoelectricity is the use of crystals which is readily available in Guyana to produce electricity
which is environmentally friendly and will lower the cost of electricity. Since the population is
growing and so is the number of vehicles traversing the Demerara Harbour Bridge. We can
utilize the force created by piezoelectric materials, e.g. quartz, which is placed along the bridge
to generate electricity for the purpose of street lighting.
1
Competition
This project is unique such that this is a new invention in Guyana. The project designed for
implementation on the Demerara Harbor Bridge which makes it manage since the Demerara
Harbor Hridge is a confined area an where vehicles traverse in a lot. Also some of the materials
need for this project is already available for example the road lights.
Resources needed
Materials
1. Piezoelectric material
(quartz)
2. Bitumen
3. Electric wires
4. Piezoelectric
transducer
Total
Price (in US$)
34650
Amount
50000 pieces
1086000
20400
70458
30000 gallon
2000 feet
24296 pieces
1211508
2
Timetable
Task
Obtaining
necessary
materials
Effecting
required repairs
on bridge
Assembling
piezoelectric
devices
Setting up
piezoelectric
devices on
bridge
Resurfacing
bridge with
bitumen
Connecting
road lights
Performed Week 1 Week 2 Week3
by
Students
and
community
Community
Students
and
community
Students
and
community
community
Students
and
community
Monitoring
implementattion
to make
changes as need
3
Week4
Week5
Week6
Week7
Use of STEM
The project of using piezoelectricity incorporates science in the separation of charges in the
piezoelectric materials and movement of electrons to do electric work. Science is also employed
in the use of the devices to turn on and off the street lights.
The technology involves using the mechanical energy from vehicles to convert to electrical
energy which is stored and used to power overhead road lights. The inclusion of engineering in
the project involves the design whereby piezoelectric materials are placed on the surface of the
bridge and in the positioning of road lights for maximum light coverage and minimum shadow
effect.
The use of mathematics in the project calculations in relation to the amount of force generated
onto the piezoelectric material, the amount of traffic on the bridge, the quantity of electricity
used by the bridge, the total surface area of the bridge, the cost of piezoelectric materials and
voltage. Mathematics will also be used to calculate the cost for the construction and
maintenance.
Community involvement and community impact
The community will be involved in this project by giving their views about it and giving their
cooperation for completing the survey. Also the community will be involve d in providing
materials which are available in abundance at a cheaper rate for example providing crystals or
piezoelectric materials.
The project will impact the community tremendously since it will provide a clean and cheaper
source of energy for the Demerara Harbor Bridge. It is also durable due to the properties of the
piezoelectric materials. The community will also be provided with employment thus improviding
the standard of living of those employed.
Also less fossil fuel would have to be imported and burned, thus reducing the large budget for
importation of fossil fuel.
4
References
[1] E.K. Reilly, Burghardt, R.Fain and P. Wright. Powering a wireless sensor node with a
vibration-driven piezoelectric energy harvester. Smart materials and structures, 20:125006,2011
[2] C.B. Williams, A. Pavic,R.S. Crouch, and R.C. Woods. Feasibility study of vibration of
vibration-electric
generator for bridge vibration sensors. In society for experimental mecvhanics, Inc, 16th
international modal nalysis conference, volume 2, pages 1111-1117
[3] C.B Williams and R.B. Yates. Analysis of a micro-electric generator for microsystems.
Sensors and actuators A: Physical, 52 (1):{11.1996}
N.G. Elvin, N. Lajnef, and A.A. Elvin. Feasibility of structural monitoring with vibration
powered sensors. Smarty materials and structures, 15:977, 2006.