Hybrid Energy Harvesting System Research Articles

Numerical energy evaluation of an optimized hybrid energy harvesting system (CPV-TEG) considering the effects of solar tracking

Currently, the energy demand at a global level is accelerated, and the use of non-renewable energies increases the problems related to global warming. Solar technologies, mainly photovoltaics, have been used as an alternative, but conversion efficiency is still low. Hybrid generation systems, which integrate photovoltaic and thermoelectric technologies, seek to provide a solution to efficiency and high costs per area unit. These systems need high tracking precision to concentrate solar energy, which requires robotic tracking systems, which generate energy waste due to the tracking action. The studies and developments do not contemplate in their analysis the losses due to tracking or the precision required by the optical concentration element. The present research develops a novel methodology for the design of optimized hybrid energy harvesting systems, integrating the concentrated photovoltaic and thermoelectric generator technologies and including the effects of solar tracking in the energy sense. In addition, a process for the numerical evaluation of hybrid systems is presented, considering thermal and tracking simulations to estimate the global energy balance. Consequently, the design methodology and numerical evaluation are implemented, comparing three concentration configurations. Additionally, a focus control device is designed for a high concentration index and evaluated. The mean total electrical efficiency of the hybrid system is 40.6763%, 38.84%, 13.3439%, and 35.0484%, respectively. With global gain estimates of 189.48 Wh, 201.83 Wh, 47.43 Wh, and 141.91 Wh. Finally, the results are compared with other developments, concluding that the hybrid system has high energy production. In conclusion, the proposal increases the overall performance of hybrid energy harvesting systems, allowing the development of future research regarding novel concentration devices, cooling methods, harvesting systems, and absorbing designs, among other innovations in more realistic energy evaluation terms.

Numerical study of a synergistic hybrid energy harvesting system for bladeless wind turbines

Using energy of the fluid flow over an oscillating vertically-mounted flexible cylinder, as a representative configuration of bladeless wind turbines (BWTs), has recently attracted wide attention in the fluid mechanics community. In this paper, the fluid–structure interactions of a novel BWT-based hybrid piezo-electromagnetic energy harvesting system have been numerically studied in the vortex-induced-vibration (VIV) lock-in region by using the Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations with the SST k-ω turbulence model. It is found that by implementing the electromagnetic (EMT) and/or piezoelectric (PVDF) transducers, the lock-in region becomes wider (up to 33% for the hybrid system) while being shifted to the higher Reynolds number (Re) range. Also, the dimensionless BWT cross-flow tip displacement amplitude (Yamp∗) is seen to reduce about 20%, 70%, and 70% by using the single-alone EMT-based, single-along piezo-based, and the hybrid harvester, respectively, which can potentially lead to substantial improvements in the fatigue life of the system Furthermore, the synergetic action of the hybrid system is observed to cause an overall increase in the harvested energy levels besides broadening of the associated range, as each of energy harvesting components appears to produce higher output power as compared to the respective single-alone system. In other words, up to 260% increase (100% increase) in the overall harvested energy level and up to 300% increase (60% increase) in the harvestable Re range with respect to the single-alone piezo-based (EMT-based) system are obtained, in which about 50% (about 10%) synergetic effects can be associated with the EMT- and piezo-based transducers, respectively.

Research on a rotary piezoelectric energy harvester based on movable magnets

A hybrid energy harvester (HEH) is designed using a movable magnet to harvest the mechanical energy for rotational motion. One movement of the movable magnet can generate electricity from piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENG) and electromagnetic generators (EMG), improving the energy conversion efficiency of HEH. The main factors affecting the motion characteristics of active magnets (number of magnets and magnet diameter) are illustrated through theoretical modeling and simulation, and the voltage characteristics of EMG and vibration characteristics of PENG are analyzed. According to the main factors affecting the motion characteristics, the experimental testing system was set up. The results show that the voltage of PENG and EMG can be up to 6.55 V and 1.37 V, respectively as the magnet diameter is 10 mm and the number of magnets is 5. The maximum power of PENG is 2.4 mW at 30 kΩ, and the power of EMG is 0.49 mW at 4 kΩ. The application experiment also proves the feasibility of the practical application of R-PEH, which provides a new solution for the research of hybrid energy harvesting systems.

Wearable All-Fabric Hybrid Energy Harvester to Simultaneously Harvest Radiofrequency and Triboelectric Energy.

Distributed micro-energy harvesting devices offer the flexibility, sustainability, and multi-scenario applicability that will be critical to wearable electronic products in the Internet of Things. The radiofrequency and triboelectric (RF-TE) hybrid energy harvester (HEH) concept and prototype is presented for the first time, to simultaneously capture the energy from ambient electromagnetic waves and biological motions. The proposed hybrid energy harvesting system consists of a wearable rectenna, a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), and a power management circuit (PMC). Among them, the all-fabric rectenna exhibits good impedance matching characteristics in the ISM frequency. The flexible TENG unit can generate a maximum power density of 0.024µWcm-2. The designed multifunctional fabric-based PMC can considerably enhance the controllability of harvested hybrid energy. Additionally, a normalizable fabric circuit board quasi surface mount technology (FCB-SMT) is proposed to integrate all modules on the same fabric substrate in one step, making the entire system superior mechanical robustness. The proposed wearable fabric-based RF-TE hybrid energy harvester is capable of successfully driving consumer electronics (such as sensors, watches, etc.). It provides a new energy solution strategy for self-powered wearable electronic devices and is anticipated to encourage the efficient utilization of renewable energy.

Design and development of a continuous water quality monitoring buoy for health monitoring of river Ganga

Real-time monitoring of water quality in the river Ganga and other Indian rivers is crucial to determining its suitability for drinking and other usages across the seasons and round the clock. For this, a structurally strong and hydrostatically stable floating observation center is required to house all the sensors and related equipment. This paper explains the design process for such a buoy platform that can house an array of water quality sensors powered by hybrid energy harvesting systems. Sensors are connected to a wireless sensor network (WSN) system that transfers data to a web-based platform, where we can monitor and analyze our data for the purpose of hazard prediction. Computational analysis has been carried out for the observatory body to ascertain its structural integrity and hydrostatic stability at small and large angles of inclination. The buoy design is based on various requirements specific to Indian rivers at different locations from the mid-course to the confluence. It is important that the system be modular and portable for use in a constantly changing river/water environment. A full-scale functional prototype has been developed, and field testing has been carried out to bring out the efficacy of the proposed system. Also, the WSN system collected real-time water quality data that have been validated with laboratory-based experiments. The establishment of a network of low-cost river/water health monitoring system will further initiate the large-scale data collection and help create digital twins of the Indian rivers.

Applications of Sustainable Hybrid Energy Harvesting: A Review

This paper provides a short review of sustainable hybrid energy harvesting and its applications. The potential usage of self-powered wireless sensor (WSN) systems has recently drawn a lot of attention to sustainable energy harvesting. The objective of this research is to determine the potential of hybrid energy harvesters to help single energy harvesters overcome their energy deficiency problems. The major findings of the study demonstrate how hybrid energy harvesting, which integrates various energy conversion technologies, may increase power outputs, and improve space utilization efficiency. Hybrid energy harvesting involves collecting energy from multiple sources and converting it into electrical energy using various transduction mechanisms. By properly integrating different energy conversion technologies, hybridization can significantly increase power outputs and improve space utilization efficiency. Here, we present a review of recent progress in hybrid energy-harvesting systems for sustainable green energy harvesting and their applications in different fields. This paper starts with an introduction to hybrid energy harvesting, showing different hybrid energy harvester configurations, i.e., the integration of piezoelectric and electromagnetic energy harvesters; the integration of piezoelectric and triboelectric energy harvesters; the integration of piezoelectric, triboelectric, and electromagnetic energy harvesters; and others. The output performance of common hybrid systems that are reported in the literature is also outlined in this review. Afterwards, various potential applications of hybrid energy harvesting are discussed, showing the practical attainability of the technology. Finally, this paper concludes by making recommendations for future research to overcome the difficulties in developing hybrid energy harvesters. The recommendations revolve around improving energy conversion efficiency, developing advanced integration techniques, and investigating new hybrid configurations. Overall, this study offers insightful information on sustainable hybrid energy harvesting together with quantitative information, numerical findings, and useful research recommendations that progress and promote the use of this technology.

Optimization of Building integrated photovoltaic and thermoelectric hybrid energy harvesting system for different climatic regions

As energy saving emerges as a critical factor for the sustainable development of humankind, the importance of Zero-Energy Buildings (ZEB) is gradually increasing. Therefore, much research is being conducted on high-efficiency renewable energy technologies that can be applied in urban areas. However, increasing the efficiency of BIPV were proposed and studied because of the need for the renewable energy source. Such as using phase change material (PCM), heat fin, wavelength selection, PV surface temperature decreasing or using a thermoelectric generator (TEG), and convection cooling utilizing the waste heat from the PV. In most previous studies, the performance when each method was analyzed through experiments or simulations. However, the design analysis for maximum performance still needs to be conducted. Therefore, a BIPV combined with a PCM and TEG (BIPV-TEG-PCM) design is analyzed in this study. Herein, the three variables (phase change temperature of the PCM, heat fin spacing in the PCM container, and TEG arrangement) were analyzed through computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based simulations. Moreover, through multi-objective optimization, the BIPV-TEG-PCM system of the optimal design was derived. Analysis results of the appropriate melting temperature of PCM, heat fin interval, and arrangement of TEG for the proposed system are 40 °C, 12.4 mm, and 187 mm, respectively.

Identification of hybrid energy harvesting systems with non-Gaussian process

Identification of hybrid energy harvesting systems with non-Gaussian process

A Hybrid Solar-RF Energy Harvesting System Based on an EM4325-Embedded RFID Tag

This paper presents the deployment of a hybrid energy harvesting system that combines a wireless energy harvesting (EH) system and a 6 V, 170 mA monocrystalline solar energy derived from the Sun’s rays. The hybrid energy harvesting (HEH) system comprises the rectifier, the solar cell panel, the charging circuit, and the EM4325 embedded RFID tag. This study aims to design an efficient EH system capable of increasing the read range of an active RFID tag. The proposed approach integrates a meandered line radio frequency identification (RFID) tag with an EM4325 IC chip as the receiver antenna. A halfwave doubler RF rectifier circuit is connected to the antenna using a 50 Ω SMA connector to convert the captured RF waves into usable electrical power. A solar energy charging module equipped with a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) system, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and a DC-DC converter is configured to manage and store the harvested energy efficiently. The UHF tag antenna operates at 919 MHz, achieving a peak gain of 3.54 dB. The proposed rectenna achieves a maximum measured harvested power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 55.14% for an input power (Pin) of 15 dBm at a distance of 5.10 cm, while the solar cell panel realizes 3.92 W of power. Experimental results demonstrate the hybrid harvester system’s effectiveness, achieving a PCE of 86.49% at an output voltage (VDC) of 5.35 V. The main advantage of this approach is the creation of a compact hybrid RF and solar EH system by combining the solar cell panel with the antenna, thus enabling multi-functionality.

An omnidirectional hybrid wind-wave energy harvester based on a coaxial contra-rotation mechanism for unmanned surface vessels

In recent years, unmanned surface vessel (USV) has become a vital platform for marine environment investigation. Various monitoring devices are installed on these vessels to ensure reliability, and the power supply is a critical problem for the operation of these devices. The current study proposes a wind-wave hybrid energy harvester (WWHEH) for self-powered application in USV. The proposed WWHEH comprises three modules: energy input module, electromagnetic generation module and power management module. The energy input module can continuously harvest wind and wave energy and convert them into kinetic energy. The electromagnetic generation module works efficiently base on an enhancement mechanism. The power management module can achieve functions of current rectification, energy storage, and sensor power supply. Experimental investigations were carried out to identify the optimal configuration of the wind cups and the interaction of the two energy harvesting sections simultaneously. The results yielded the harvesting performance of wind cups at different pitch and azimuth angles. Additionally, a mixing experiment was conducted, and the superior performance of the hybrid energy harvesting system was verified (13.5% and 709.5% higher than a single wind energy capture part and wave energy capture part, respectively) Moreover, the experimental investigations conclude that the proposed wind-wave hybrid energy harvester can produce a maximum output power of 56.25 mW at a wind speed of 8 m/s. These findings indicate that the proposed WWHEH can effectively power the monitoring devices of USV.

Are piezoelectric-electromagnetic hybrid energy harvesting systems beneficial?

The primary objective of this work is to investigate the performance of a hybrid energy harvesting system consisting of piezoelectric and electromagnetic transducers. We first show that a single–mechanism generator with negligible electrical losses, referred to as an electrically-lossless harvester, can reach the theoretical power bound regardless of the coupling strength between the mechanical and electrical domains, which renders the use of hybrid systems unnecessary. For a more realistic analysis, the electrically parasitic losses are then taken into account. We introduce effective figures of merit for the piezoelectric and electromagnetic generators that combine transducer coupling and resistive losses. The maximum output power of single-transducer and hybrid systems are determined analytically, expressed as functions of effective figures of merit. We find that there is no benefit to utilizing a hybrid system if one of the two, or both, effective figures of merit exceeds a threshold of . We also derive the narrow conditions under which a resonant hybrid harvester system with multiple transduction mechanisms can outperform its counterpart which uses a single energy conversion. In order to provide a comprehensive assessment of the configurations considered, we analyze the relationships between optimizing system efficiency and maximizing output power. We reveal that the two problems generally yield different solutions. However, for a hybrid structure, these objectives result in a unique solution when the effective figures of merit of the two transductions are equal. This is a distinctive property of a hybrid system compared to a single-mechanism device.

A High-Performance Dual-Topology CMOS Rectifier With 19.5-dB Power Dynamic Range for RF-Based Hybrid Energy Harvesting

This brief reports a dual-topology CMOS rectifier with an extended power dynamic range (PDR) for radio frequency (RF)-based hybrid energy harvesting (RF-HEH) systems. By leveraging both the cross-coupled differential drive (CCDD) and the Dickson topologies with high forward conduction and low reverse leakage, we obtain an extension of the rectifier’s PDR by adaptively disabling the CCDD counterpart and enabling the Dickson counterpart to dominate the rectifier’s performance during high-power operation. Apart from that, we formulate a rectifier-performance index (RPI), which accounts for the power conversion efficiency (PCE), the PDR, the sensitivity, and the load resistance of the rectifier to provide an adequate performance benchmark with the state-of-the-art rectifiers. Fabricated in a 130-nm CMOS, the proposed dual-topology rectifier measures a wide PDR of 19.5 dB with a peak PCE of 78.4% for a 100-k <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\Omega $</tex-math> </inline-formula> load operating at 900 MHz. Besides, our prototype records the highest RPI of 19.2 compared to the recent arts operating at GSM900.

Dynamical analysis of an asymmetric tri-stable hybrid energy harvesting system driven by colored noise

Dynamical analysis of an asymmetric tri-stable hybrid energy harvesting system driven by colored noise

Hybrid energy harvesting systems for self-powered sustainable water purification by harnessing ambient energy.

The development of self-powered water purification technologies for decentralized applications is crucial for ensuring the provision of drinking water in resource-limited regions. The elimination of the dependence on external energy inputs and the attainment of self-powered status significantly expands the applicability of the treatment system in real-world scenarios. Hybrid energy harvesters, which convert multiple ambient energies simultaneously, show the potential to drive self-powered water purification facilities under fluctuating actual conditions. Here, we propose recent advancements in hybrid energy systems that simultaneously harvest various ambient energies (e.g., photo irradiation, flow kinetic, thermal, and vibration) to drive water purification processes. The mechanisms of various energy harvesters and point-of-use water purification treatments are first outlined. Then we summarize the hybrid energy harvesters that can drive water purification treatment. These hybrid energy harvesters are based on the mechanisms of mechanical and photovoltaic, mechanical and thermal, and thermal and photovoltaic effects. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the potential for advancing beyond the current state-of-the-art of hybrid energy harvester-driven water treatment processes. Future endeavors should focus on improving catalyst efficiency and developing sustainable hybrid energy harvesters to drive self-powered treatments under unstable conditions (e.g., fluctuating temperatures and humidity).

Investigation of Self-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes for Harvesting Hybrid Indoor Ambient Light and Heat Energy.

Sensor nodes are critical components of the Internet of Things (IoT). Traditional IoT sensor nodes are typically powered by disposable batteries, making it difficult to meet the requirements for long lifetime, miniaturization, and zero maintenance. Hybrid energy systems that integrate energy harvesting, storage, and management are expected to provide a new power source for IoT sensor nodes. This research describes an integrated cube-shaped photovoltaic (PV) and thermal hybrid energy-harvesting system that can be utilized to power IoT sensor nodes with active RFID tags. The indoor light energy was harvested using 5-sided PV cells, which could generate 3 times more energy than most current studies using single-sided PV cells. In addition, two vertically stacked thermoelectrical generators (TEG) with a heat sink were utilized to harvest thermal energy. Compared to one TEG, the harvested power was improved by more than 219.48%. In addition, an energy management module with a semi-active configuration was designed to manage the energy stored by the Li-ion battery and supercapacitor (SC). Finally, the system was integrated into a 44 mm × 44 mm × 40 mm cube. The experimental results showed that the system was able to generate a power output of 192.48 µW using indoor ambient light and the heat from a computer adapter. Furthermore, the system was capable of providing stable and continuous power for an IoT sensor node used for monitoring indoor temperature over a prolonged period.

Hybrid Nanogenerators for Ocean Energy Harvesting: Mechanisms, Designs, and Applications.

The ocean holds vast potential as a renewable energy source, but harnessing its power has been challenging due to low-frequency and high-amplitude stimulation. However, hybrid nanogenerators (HNGs) offer a promising solution to convert ocean energy into usable power efficiently. With their high sensitivity and flexible design, HNGs are ideal for low-frequency environments and remote ocean regions. Combining triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) with piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) and electromagnetic nanogenerators (EMGs) creates a unique hybrid system that maximizes energy harvesting. Ultimately, hybrid energy-harvesting systems offer a sustainable and reliable solution for growing energy needs. This study provides an in-depth review of the latest research on ocean energy harvesting by hybrid systems, focusing on self-powered applications. The article also discusses primary hybrid designs for devices, powering self-powered units such as wireless communication systems, climate monitoring systems, and buoys as applications. The potential of HNGs is enormous, and with rapid advancements in research and fabrication, these systems are poised to revolutionize ocean energy harvesting. It outlines the pros and cons of HNGs and highlights the major challenges that must be overcome. Finally, future outlooks for hybrid energy harvesters are also discussed.

Thermally reused solar energy harvesting using current mirror cells

AbstractThis paper implements a simultaneous solar and thermal energy harvesting system, as a hybrid energy harvesting (HEH) system, to convert ambient light into electrical energy through photovoltaic (PV) cells and heat absorbed in the body of PV cells. Indeed, a solar panel equipped with serially connected thermoelectric generators not only converts the incoming light into electricity but also takes advantage of heat emanating from the light. In a conventional HEH system, the diode block is used to provide the path for the input source with the highest value. In this scheme, at each time, only one source can be handled to generate its output, while other sources are blocked. To handle this challenge of combining resources in HEH systems, this paper proposes a method for collecting all incoming energies and conveying its summation to the load via the current mirror cells in an approach similar to the maximum power point tracking. This technique is implemented using off‐the‐shelf components. The measurement results show that the proposed method is a realistic approach for supplying electrical energy to wireless sensor nodes and low‐power electronics.

Energy harvesting for mobile agents supporting wireless sensor networks

Abstract Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have been deployed widely in many different application including in civil and military fields. The sensing data from the networks is very diverse and may cost huge energy consumption for transmission. Hence, mobile sensors with high capacity are deployed to support the static sensors dealing with longer range communicating distances and also supplying power wirelessly the sensors if possible. This paper focuses on an energy harvesting (EH) design for either mobile agents or sensor nodes in WSNs. A hybrid EH system can harvest energy from ambient environment around to power the mobile sensors and static sensors. In addition, these mobile sensors and transfer power wirelessly to the sensors if required. We provide different scenarios for harvesting energy from both RF and solar energy to support the devices. All the designed circuits based on mathematical equations are provided, specifically. Simulation and experimental results are addressed to clarify all the scenarios for the networks. The results show promise and practical.

Design and Application of a New Self-Powered Sensing Device Based on MTEG and FTENG

In recent years, the increasing demand for the establishment of smart ocean systems has promoted the exploration of self-powered sensing devices. However, a traditional battery has the disadvantages of limited energy storage and frequent replacement. These disadvantages make it difficult to power electronic equipment for a long time, which has become a major obstacle to constructing smart ocean systems. To meet these challenges, a new self-powered sensing device based on a microthermoelectric generator (MTEG) and flag-type triboelectric nanogenerator (FTENG) is proposed. The prototype is a hybrid energy-harvesting system. Through this prototype, solar and wind energy can be harvested simultaneously, and it can be employed to continuously power environmental sensors. In addition, the performance of the prototype was tested. Under the condition of a hot end at 70°C and a wind speed of 10 m/s, the prototype can charge the supercapacitor to 5.5 V in 10 min. Additionally, the prototype can sense and transmit wind speed and direction data. This research provides a new way for the establishment of smart ocean systems.

High-efficiency photovoltaic-thermoelectric hybrid energy harvesting system based on functionally multiplexed intelligent thermal management

A photovoltaic-thermoelectric hybrid (PV-TEH) system with intelligent thermal management based on the dual functions of thermoelectrics (TEs) is proposed to improve the conversion efficiency of PV cells. The performance of PV cells is highly dependent on the cell temperature, and the temperature gradient can also be used to generate additional electricity. A microcontroller switching circuit is designed using the same thermoelectric module for the functions of thermoelectric generator and thermoelectric cooler (TEG/TEC) to selectively regulate the PV panel temperature according to the heat dissipation requirements. In addition, PWM-based intelligent cooling regulation technology is presented to set up a hybrid energy harvesting and thermal management system with adjustable conversion efficiency. Experimental results show that the conversion efficiency in the proposed hybrid PV-TEH system can reach up to 27.8 % while reducing the temperature of the PV panel by 6℃. Accounting for 23 % of the high-efficiency energy output due to the PV-TEG mode, the time window of the pure power supply is increased to 1.15 h during the 5 h day measurement. In addition, the effective output power of PV is increased from 6 W to 8.1 W in PV-TEC mode. This intelligent energy harvesting and thermal management by employing the TE functionally multiplexed technique can provide a reference for green self-powered electronic equipment.