Miniaturized self-powered industrial sensor systems using energy harvesting technologies-Energy Supply Toolkit

Purpose and goal

The vision of Energy Supply Toolkit project is to develop key enabling energy solutions by harvesting energy from ambient sources, the most promising technology for miniaturised, wireless self-powered sensor systems for digitalization of modern industry. The main goal was to combine three technologies (energy harvesting, sensors, wireless communication) leading to successful prototypes with impact in various industries showing the huge potential of using energy harvesting for innovative self-powered wireless sensor systems and of design methodologies for this systems.

Expected results and effects

By building four specific energy harvesting demo cases and a database for commercial components, we showed the opportunity of using various energy sources and the possibility to develop basic and specific simulation models and design methodologies. Besides the technical aspects, outcomes are also: - Market survey for applications and players with focus on microwatt to milliwatt range of use-cases. - Insight into the industrial requirements and acceptance of new technologies. - Awareness on technical and commercial challenges. - The need of interdisciplinary cooperation.

Planned approach and implementation

The project has been carried out in short (monthly consortium meetings) and fast iterations (weekly exchange of input) with close cooperation with the academic, research institute, SME and big industrial partners to achieve the goals. The project’s results show that this new technology, to harvest energy from environment that is otherwise wasted, has huge potential for miniaturized self-powered sensor system for various applications.