1614  Energy Harvesting Calculator

Design Self-Powered IoT Systems with Renewable Energy Sources

1614.1 Overview

Energy harvesting enables IoT devices to operate autonomously by capturing ambient energy from the environment. This comprehensive guide and interactive calculator helps you design energy harvesting systems by analyzing various energy sources, calculating power budgets, and sizing storage components for self-sufficient operation.

TipLearning Objectives

After completing this module, you will be able to:

  • Evaluate different energy harvesting sources for specific applications
  • Calculate harvested power from solar, vibration, thermal, and RF sources
  • Size energy storage components (supercapacitors and batteries)
  • Analyze system self-sufficiency and autonomy requirements
  • Compare energy harvesting ROI versus battery replacement

1614.2 Module Contents

This topic has been organized into four focused chapters for easier navigation:

1614.2.1 1. Energy Harvesting Calculator Tool

Interactive tool for designing self-powered systems

  • Source selection (solar, vibration, thermal, RF)
  • Environment configuration for each harvester type
  • Device power requirements configuration
  • Energy storage sizing options

Use this tool to configure your specific application parameters.

1614.2.2 2. Energy Harvesting Analysis

Detailed analysis and pre-configured scenarios

  • Energy balance visualization and calculations
  • Self-sufficiency status and recommendations
  • Component sizing recommendations
  • Storage level simulation over time
  • Seasonal variation analysis for solar systems
  • Break-even ROI analysis vs battery-powered systems
  • Pre-configured scenarios for common applications:
    • Outdoor Environmental Sensor
    • Industrial Vibration Monitor
    • Wearable Health Tracker
    • Building HVAC Sensor

1614.2.3 3. Energy Harvesting Concepts

Theoretical foundations and design methodology

  • Energy balance equation fundamentals
  • Power management considerations
  • Harvester efficiency comparison table
  • Step-by-step design workflow
  • System architecture diagrams
  • Hybrid system design principles

1614.2.4 4. Energy Harvesting Practical Guide

Real-world examples and advanced techniques

  • Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
  • Detailed practical examples:
    • Solar-powered environmental sensor
    • Industrial vibration monitor
    • Wearable health tracker
  • Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) techniques
  • Hybrid harvesting system design
  • Storage technology comparison
  • Design guidelines for each harvesting source

1614.3 Quick Start Guide

NoteRecommended Learning Path
  1. New to energy harvesting? Start with Concepts to understand the fundamentals
  2. Ready to design? Use the Calculator Tool to configure your system
  3. Validate your design with the Analysis Dashboard
  4. Optimize and deploy using tips from the Practical Guide

1614.4 Energy Source Quick Reference

Source Typical Power Best Applications Key Challenge
Solar (Outdoor) 10-100 mW/cm² Environmental monitoring, agriculture Weather dependent
Solar (Indoor) 10-100 µW/cm² Building sensors, smart labels Low light levels
Vibration 0.1-10 mW Industrial machinery, vehicles Frequency matching
Thermal (TEG) 1-50 mW HVAC, industrial heat sources Requires sustained ΔT
RF 0.001-1 mW RFID, low-power sensors Very low power density

1614.5 What’s Next

Begin your energy harvesting journey by selecting the chapter that best matches your current needs: