Characterization of Thermoelectric Modules for Powering Autonomous Sensors

Dalola, Simone; Ferrari, Maurizio; Ferrari, Vittorio; Guizzetti, M.; Marioli, D.; Taroni, A.

doi:10.1109/tim.2008.928405

Cited by 144 publications

(79 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…However, in some devices, such as the nodes of wireless sensor networks (WSNs), this solution is not practical. Energy harvesting constitutes a feasible alternative and has been proposed in order to power autonomous nodes using optical [1], [2], mechanical [3], or thermal energy [4] or even a combination of them [5]. Among the ambient sources, optical (or solar) energy provides high power density, principally outdoors.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

A New MPPT Method for Low-Power Solar Energy Harvesting

López-Lapeña

Penella

Gasulla

2010

IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron.

180

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Abstract-This paper describes a new maximum-power-pointtracking (MPPT) method focused on low-power (< 1 W) photovoltaic (PV) panels. The static and dynamic performance is theoretically analyzed, and design criteria are provided. A prototype was implemented with a 500-mW PV panel, a commercial boost converter, and low-power components for the MPPT controller. Laboratory measurements were performed to assess the effectiveness of the proposed method. Tracking efficiency was higher than 99.6%. The overall efficiency was higher than 92% for a PV panel power higher than 100 mW. This is, in part, feasible due to the low power consumption of the MPPT controller, which was kept lower than 350 μW. The time response of the tracking circuit was tested to be around 1 s. Field measurements showed energy gains higher than 10.3% with respect to a direct-coupled solution for an ambient temperature of 26• C. Higher gains are expected for lower temperatures. Index Terms-Energy harvesting, maximum power point tracking (MPPT), solar cells, wireless sensor networks (WSNs).

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mentioning

confidence: 99%

A New MPPT Method for Low-Power Solar Energy Harvesting

López-Lapeña

Penella

Gasulla

2010

IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron.

180

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“…Harvesting energy from ambient energy sources such as light [1], mechanical vibration [2], and thermal gradient [3] is a promising alternative to batteries for a sustainable wireless sensor network (WSN) node. There are often many hot walls or pipelines at industrial plants even when there is insufficient light or vibration for en-ergy harvesting, which motivates this work to examine the feasibility of using thermal gradients for energy harvesting.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In [3], a commercial thermoelectric generator (TEG), a TMG 127-1.0-2.5 from Kryotherm, has been successfully used to power an autonomous sensing node for temperature measurement. However, instead of using a commercial wireless sensor node, a simple low power conditioning circuit and RF transmitter are used to interface with a temperature sensor and periodically transmit the measurement information via an RF link.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Autonomous Wireless Sensor Node with Thermal Energy Harvesting for Temperature Monitoring of Industrial Devices

et al. 2017

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Abstract-The feasibility of using thermal energy harvesting to power a wireless sensor node for temperature monitoring of industrial devices is explored and evaluated in this paper. The thermal energy harvesting equipment and energy conversion circuit have been designed and fabricated. A series of experiments with various sleep periods for the sensor node are undertaken. The experimental results show that the thermal energy harvesting equipment and energy conversion circuit are able to power a commercial wireless node when the sleep period of the node is more than 16s, equating to a duty cycle of 5.4%. The results also indicate that the wireless sensor network based on the proposed autonomous wireless sensor node can monitor the industrial device temperature successfully.

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“…T HE harvesting of electrical power from environmental energy such as light [1], vibration [2], wind [3], or thermal [4], can permit low-power devices, which are conventionally powered by batteries, to operate indefinitely. Lowpower autonomous devices are used in a range of industrial applications [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Photovoltaic Sample-and-Hold Circuit Enabling MPPT Indoors for Low-Power Systems

Weddell

Merrett

Al-Hashimi

2012

IEEE Trans. Circuits Syst. I

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Abstract-Photovoltaic (PV) energy harvesting is commonly used to power autonomous devices, and maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is often used to optimize its efficiency. This paper describes an ultra low-power MPPT circuit with a novel sample-and-hold and cold-start arrangement, enabling MPPT across the range of light intensities found indoors, which has not been reported before. The circuit has been validated in practice and found to cold-start and operate from 100 lux (typical of dim indoor lighting) up to 5 000 lux with a 55cm 2 amorphous silicon PV module. It is more efficient than non-MPPT circuits, which are the state-of-the-art for indoor PV systems. The proposed circuit maximizes the active time of the PV module by carrying out samples only once per minute. The MPPT control arrangement draws a quiescent current draw of only 8µA, and does not require an additional light sensor as has been required by previously-reported low-power MPPT circuits.

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Characterization of Thermoelectric Modules for Powering Autonomous Sensors

Cited by 144 publications

References 10 publications

A New MPPT Method for Low-Power Solar Energy Harvesting

A New MPPT Method for Low-Power Solar Energy Harvesting

Autonomous Wireless Sensor Node with Thermal Energy Harvesting for Temperature Monitoring of Industrial Devices

Photovoltaic Sample-and-Hold Circuit Enabling MPPT Indoors for Low-Power Systems

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