Piezo Electric Christmas Lights

Piezo Electric Christmas Lights proposes a sustainable and efficient Christmas lighting system that harnesses the kinetic energy of wind and urban movement to generate electricity. The project's vision is to transform cities into sources of renewable energy, using artificial leaf-like structures equipped with piezoelectric sensors that capture minute vibrations and convert them into electrical power. This approach not only aims to reduce energy consumption during the holidays but also inspire the community to adopt new ways of using energy sustainably in their daily lives.

Technically, the product consists of LED light strings integrated with piezoelectric "leaves" designed to maximize energy harvesting even in low winds. The system works by collecting energy during the day, storing it in a battery, and powering the lights at night. Prototyping tests conducted in a Fablab validated that large-diameter, thin sensors are the most effective for generating electricity, demonstrating that ambient kinetic energy is sufficient to power low-consumption devices such as modern LED strips.

The business model focuses on municipalities as its primary clients, offering an alternative to reduce the high operating costs and carbon footprint associated with traditional lighting. Although the economic analysis projects an initial net loss of €55,000 in the first year due to research and setup costs, the system is expected to be financially viable in the long term thanks to savings on electricity bills and maintenance contracts. The project began its validation phase in Eindhoven, taking advantage of the Netherlands' windy climate and increasing government pressure to meet global sustainability targets.

Moonshot team: Nelke Engels, Casper Ravelli, Niké Roijakkers, Maureen Monsma.

Mentor: Sara Reichert.