A review on the state-of-the-art wind energy harvesting technologies and potential integration into building roof structure

In this study, the focus was on exploring alternative wind energy harvesting technologies that can overcome the limitations of conventional wind turbines in urban and rural areas. The conventional wind turbines have shown low power output in areas with low wind velocities, and their heavy installation on lightweight building structures can compromise the integrity of the structure and lead to a shorter lifespan of the turbines. To address these challenges, the study investigated the power and harvesting performance of various wind energy harvesting systems, particularly those employing oscillating mechanisms like galloping, flutter, and vortex-induced vibration. The objective was to provide a clean energy solution for off-grid areas to capture energy from the accelerated air flow on building roofs. The review analysed the technical features of each wind-induced vibration technology, considering non-uniform wind flow and a wide range of wind speeds that the energy harvester might encounter on the roof. The findings indicated that small-scale wind energy harvester devices achieved a power output of nanowatts to milliwatts. However, further improvements in power output were possible by integrating the energy harvester into roof building structures to create wind velocity acceleration, scaling up the harvester, and incorporating power management. The review revealed a lack of studies on the integration of small-scale energy harvesting devices with structures and buildings, indicating a crucial area for future research. Through exploring lightweight building integrated wind energy harvesting systems with longer lifespans, this study provides opportunity to sustainable energy solutions for off-grid areas, where conventional wind turbines may not be practical.