Does Energy Harvesting make any sense?! (Experiment)

GreatScott!2 minutes read

Energy harvesting involves using nearby energy sources like sunlight, mechanical vibrations, heat, and radio frequencies to power devices, offering practicality in replacing batteries for long-term use in systems like IOT. Various methods like piezoelectric discs, Peltier Modules, and energy harvesting ICs demonstrate the potential to efficiently convert energy and reduce standby power consumption in electronic devices.

Insights

  • Energy harvesting utilizes sources like sunlight, mechanical vibrations, heat, or radio frequencies to power devices, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional batteries.
  • The practicality of energy harvesting is highlighted by its potential to power devices like IOT systems for extended periods, showcasing the efficiency and longevity benefits compared to conventional power sources.

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Recent questions

  • What is energy harvesting?

    Energy harvesting involves powering devices using nearby energy sources.

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Summary

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"Harvesting Energy for Sustainable Device Power"

  • Energy harvesting is not related to free energy or perpetual motion machines, but rather involves powering devices using nearby energy sources like sunlight, mechanical vibrations, heat, or radio frequencies.
  • A common LiPo battery with a capacity of 7.4Wh could theoretically power an IOT system for around 44 years, but the practicality of replacing thousands of batteries after 10 years makes energy harvesting appealing.
  • Mechanical vibrations can be harvested using a piezoelectric disc, a full bridge rectifier circuit, and capacitors to power an electronic load, showcasing the potential to power an IOT system.
  • Heat can be harvested using a Peltier Module, with the example of using excess heat from an oven or induction cooking field to generate energy for an IOT system.
  • Radio frequencies are a challenging energy source for harvesting due to the need for specific antennas, rectifiers, and proximity to broadcasters, making it less feasible for powering an IOT system.
  • Energy harvesting ICs like the UB20M from the University of Bristol can efficiently convert energy from sources like infrared light, reducing standby power consumption in devices like TVs and showcasing the practical applications of energy harvesting in electronics.
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