Feasibility Studies of Micro Photosynthetic Power Cells as a Competitor of Photovoltaic Cells for Low and Ultra-Low Power IoT Applications

Hemanth Kumar Tanneru,Kiran Kuruvinashetti,Pragasen Pillay,Raghunathan Rengaswamy,Muthukumaran Packirisamy

doi:10.3390/en12091595

Hemanth Kumar Tanneru, Kiran Kuruvinashetti + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/en12091595

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Abstract

In this work, we provide a cost comparison of micro-photosynthetic power cells (µPSC) with the well-established photovoltaic (PV) cells for ultra-low power and low power applications. We also suggest avenues for the performance improvement of µPSC. To perform cost comparison, we considered two case studies, which are development of energy systems for: (i) A typical mobile-phone battery charging (low power application) and (ii) powering a humidity sensor (ultra-low power application). For both the cases, we have elucidated the steps in designing energy systems based on PV and µPSC technologies. Based on the design, we have considered the components needed and their costs to obtain total cost for developing energy systems using both PV and µPSC technologies. Currently, µPSCs based energy systems are costlier compared to their PV counterparts. We have provided the avenues for improving µPSC performance, niche application areas, and aspects in which µPSCs are comparable to PV cells. With a huge potential to develop low-cost and high performing technologies, this emerging technology can share the demand on PV technologies for ultra-low power applications.

Highlights

With the advent of Internet of Things (IoT), wireless sensors and their networks became more prevalent [1]
Importance of self-sustained sensors that can function using the energy harvested from the renewable energy resources is ubiquitous for IoT applications [2]
Μ-PSCs were first developed by the Chiao M et al and Siu, C.P.B et al [3,4], as a potential power source for low power and ultra-low power applications

Summary

Introduction

With the advent of Internet of Things (IoT), wireless sensors and their networks became more prevalent [1]. Importance of self-sustained sensors that can function using the energy harvested from the renewable energy resources is ubiquitous for IoT applications [2]. Micro photosynthetic power cell (μPSC) is one of such energy harvesting technologies that has been gaining interest in recent years. The typical μPSC can generate an open circuit voltage (OCV) in the range of 100–900 mV and current density in the order of 100s of μA/cm. Typical power produced by a μPSC varies in the range of 10–100 mW [3,5,6,7,8,9]. Power density values of μPSC have witnessed an increase of approximately two orders of magnitude since their origin [10].

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