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A Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting Scheme with Passive Cooling for Outdoor IoT Sensors

Author

Listed:
  • Daniela Charris

    (Robotics and Intelligent Systems Research Group from Universidad Del Norte, Barranquilla, Atlántico 8600, Colombia)

  • Diego Gomez

    (Robotics and Intelligent Systems Research Group from Universidad Del Norte, Barranquilla, Atlántico 8600, Colombia)

  • Angie Rincon Ortega

    (Rational Use of Energy and Environment Preservation Research Group from Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, Atlántico 8600, Colombia)

  • Mauricio Carmona

    (Rational Use of Energy and Environment Preservation Research Group from Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, Atlántico 8600, Colombia)

  • Mauricio Pardo

    (Robotics and Intelligent Systems Research Group from Universidad Del Norte, Barranquilla, Atlántico 8600, Colombia)

Abstract

This paper presents an energetically autonomous IoT sensor powered via thermoelectric harvesting. The operation of thermal harvesting is based on maintaining a temperature gradient of at least 26.31 K between the thermoelectric-generator sides. While the hot side employs a metal plate, the cold side is attached with a phase-change material acting as an effective passive dissipative material. The desired temperature gradient allows claiming power conversion efficiencies of about 26.43%, without efficiency reductions associated with heating and soiling. This work presents the characterization of a low-cost off-the-shelf thermoelectric generator that allows estimating the production of at least 407.3 mW corresponding to 2.44 Wh of available energy considering specific operation hours—determined statistically for a given geographic location. Then, the energy production is experimentally verified with the construction of an outdoor IoT sensor powered by a passively-cooled thermoelectric generator. The prototype contains a low-power microcontroller, environmental sensors, and a low-power radio to report selected environmental variables to a central node. This work shows that the proposed supply mechanism provides sufficient energy for continuous operation even during times with no solar resource through an on-board Li-Po battery. Such a battery can be recharged once the solar radiation is available without compromising sensor operation.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniela Charris & Diego Gomez & Angie Rincon Ortega & Mauricio Carmona & Mauricio Pardo, 2020. "A Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting Scheme with Passive Cooling for Outdoor IoT Sensors," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-25, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:11:p:2782-:d:365762
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Eduard Massaguer & Albert Massaguer & Eudald Balló & Ivan Ruiz Cózar & Toni Pujol & Lino Montoro & Martí Comamala, 2020. "Electrical Generation of a Ground-Level Solar Thermoelectric Generator: Experimental Tests and One-Year Cycle Simulation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-18, July.
    2. N. Kanagaraj & Hegazy Rezk & Mohamed R. Gomaa, 2020. "A Variable Fractional Order Fuzzy Logic Control Based MPPT Technique for Improving Energy Conversion Efficiency of Thermoelectric Power Generator," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-18, September.
    3. Zdenek Machacek & Wojciech Walendziuk & Vojtech Sotola & Zdenek Slanina & Radek Petras & Miroslav Schneider & Zdenek Masny & Adam Idzkowski & Jiri Koziorek, 2021. "An Investigation of Thermoelectric Generators Used as Energy Harvesters in a Water Consumption Meter Application," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-22, June.
    4. Wenxiong Xi & Mengyao Xu & Chaoyang Liu & Jian Liu, 2022. "Recent Developments of Heat Transfer Enhancement and Thermal Management Technology," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-3, August.

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