Development and lessons practice of the wave power generation using piezoelectric device

Abstract

The energy supply and demand balance being very unstable in Japan today, utilization of renewable energies as alternative for fossil fuels is an important issue. In this study through experiments in wave power energy conversion teaching materials for learning were developed, interest and concern were heightened and efforts were made to bring awareness of the issues closer to home. We were able to verify the students' gaining of a deeper understanding of energy problems and grasping of energy conservation concepts through the experiments in the classroom activities. The force of the wave is converted into the motion of the steel balls and the electricity is generated. This contrivance which the steel balls move quickly even in the case of the small wave has been made the equipment. The lessons practice was carried out using this teaching tool for junior high school students. In the experiment lesson, its results verified educational effect, showing that students gained higher awareness of energy issues and also were able to effect concrete instances of energy conservation that they were able to do themselves. © 2011 The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers.