Energy harvesting wings

The idea that won Airbus FlyYouIdea 2015 was ‘energy harvesting’ wings by team Multifun from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. The concept is to dress the wings with composite skin that harvests energy from natural vibrations and flexing of wings.

Using piezoelectric fibres, electrical charges are gathered by even the smallest movements during flight. This energy can then be stored in battery panels integrated in the fuselage and can be used to power auxiliary in-flight systems, such as lighting and entertainment systems. Further development from this concept could replace the entire power source for ground operations.