Energy Harvesting

Energy Harvesting in the embedded space is evolving rapidly to meet the requirement for low power consumption in internet-of-things (IOT) devices. Harvesting energy from the environment enables more efficient energy management, while allowing your battery to operate for years without a replacement. Energy harvesting is environmentally friendly, while also extending battery life and product reliability. But designing with energy harvesting adds new design challenges. If an off-the-shelf primary cell battery meets your product requirements then you should use it, as it will be less expensive and easier to design. But if your product must operate for long periods of time without battery changes then energy harvesting is an excellent option. Renesas' RX111 MCU is ideally configured for Energy Harvesting applications. Read on to learn more about Renesas' energy harvesting solutions and how Renesas can meet your design requirements today.

What is Energy Harvesting?

Collecting ambient energy to power a load
Energy can be collected from solar, thermal, vibration, RF or other sources
In portable devices, harvester scale is small, with collection fluxes measured in μW to mW
- Low power design techniques are paramount
- Selection of processor, power management IC, battery and harvester are critical

Why is Energy Harvesting Used?

AC power not readily available
Can't afford to change batteries due to high labor costs
- Accessibility or logistical challenges increase costs, usually in commercial applications
Traditional battery solutions are too big or heavy
- UAVs, Wearables, remote Sensor Nodes
Eliminate disposable battery waste
- Europe is legislating to encourage alternatives that are less polluting than primary batteries
Increase product lifetime
Increase product reliability
Application is a deeply embedded or implanted device that requires costly or dangerous battery replacement procedures

Energy Harvesting Diagram

Typical Low Power Sensor Product

Factors to consider:

Power budget
- Peak current
- Quiescent current
Energy source
Energy harvester*
Energy balance (Ein vs. Eout)
Energy storage
Power management
Operating temperature
Controller requirements
Sensor specifications
Wireless requirements*
Lifetime cost of ownership

Low Power Sensor Product

Harvesting Extends Product Lifetime

Ambient energy is energy available from the environment.
- Light, heat, vibration, fluid flow, gas flow, RF, force, and rotation are just a few of the possible sources of energy
Harvesting energy from the environment doesn't cost anything and as long as the harvesting subsystem remains active, the product can operate many years without the need for battery changes.
If your product needs to operate without battery changes and it cannot be recharged using AC mains and primary batteries won't power the product for its lifetime, then energy harvesting is a good candidate for your design.

Application Peak Power Levels

Energy harvesting has the following important advantages over alternative solutions:
- Environmentally friendly (no replacement batteries into landfill)
- Product powered for life
- For commercial applications, avoid costly maintenance calls to replace batteries
- For infrastructure applications, set it and forget it

The RX111 MCU is ideally configured for Energy Harvesting applications. Learn more.