Abstract
Harvesting energy from the fringing electric field of power lines is a topic of recent interest. So far, most of the reported energy harvesting processes used a fixed ground connection that makes the harvesting process immobile. This paper presents a new idea to avoid the fixed ground connection and make the extraction process mobile, which can lead to charging of wearable and mobile devices, reducing the frequency of battery charging and enhancing the longevity of the batteries. A comprehensive circuit model for the energy extraction system is still absent, and this research proposes a circuit model that forms a basis for the circuit design and prediction of the energy extraction efficacy. The circuit model provides the analytical basis to estimate charging time, optimum operating voltage and optimum power for such circuits. Experimental results are also presented to justify the circuit model. Although the actual amount of power extracted was very small, further research is needed to enhance the energy extraction efficacy.
Highlights
Energies 2021, 14, 7016. https://Energy harvesting has become an important issue as IoT based low power devices are being used for many different applications
If we look at the circuit model (Figure 3), we find that the capacitive coupling between the power line and the plate 2 results in a voltage source that opposes the voltage source due to plate 1 in the equivalent circuit and it is the main challenge to reduce this coupling
It has been shown that energy extraction for mobile devices is possible from a power line without having any fixed connection
Summary
Energy harvesting has become an important issue as IoT based low power devices are being used for many different applications. The researchers used circuit arrangements where they exploited the stray A.C. electric field from the power line to induce voltage in a metal plate and connected the circuit via a half bridge rectifier circuit to the ground at the other end. Any circuit arrangement that can get rid of the fixed ground connection can extend the application of energy harvesting from the fringing fields to mobile devices as well. This will mean that we will require less frequent charging of the batteries used in mobile phone, pacemakers or other invasive biomedical applications. Simulated and experimental results are presented to evaluate the performance of the proposed circuit
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
