Enhancing System Reliability and Battery Longevity through Integrated Energy Sources and Algorithmic Optimization

Abstract

This research examines the enhancement of low power electronic systems, such as low power wide area networks (LPWANs), by incorporating a mix of renewable energy sources like solar and wind in China. It addresses the challenges posed by the variability of these sources due to climatic and temporal factors by merging diverse energy harvesting (EH) methods to bolster power stability and availability. The study assesses the most effective combination of solar, wind, and rain EH for steady power supply. A novel algorithm is introduced for energy input management based on real‐time resource availability, with the goal of prolonging battery life by avoiding complete charge or discharge cycles. The feasibility of this multisource approach in possibly reducing the need for extra energy storage is evaluated. The investigation includes simulations using Chinese weather data to explore different combinations of energy sources. A real‐life system utilizing solar and wind energy, guided by the developed algorithm, was also implemented for empirical comparison. Findings suggest that solar and wind energies have a higher power yield than rain harvesting, with actual wind energy collection often falling short of simulated forecasts. The solar–wind energy mix achieves a 99% system availability and facilitates a more compact design owing to their high power density. Although the input‐switching algorithm lessens the frequency of complete battery drainage, a small degree of energy storage is still essential for maintaining system reliability. This integrated EH method, compared to single‐source options, allows for a smaller energy storage requirement. Moreover, the algorithm limits battery charging to 80%, significantly enhancing battery lifespan.