Energy availability and long term operation are key challenges for wireless sensor networks and the applications where embedded devices are battery-operated and they should operate unattended for tens of years. For this reason energy harvesting (EH) is becoming very important for powering ubiquitously deployed sensor networks and mobile electronics. In this paper we introduce a Smart Power Unit (SPU) for embedded systems which integrates energy harvesters from the sun and wind with hydrogen fuel cells especially designed for outdoor applications. The power unit can work as a standard battery or providing serial communication to exchange power information to achieve power management.Experimental results show the high efficiency (up to 90%) of the power conversion subsystem and the perpetual work. Deployment in a structural health monitoring in Switzerland demonstrates that perpetual energy sustainability is achievable in real-life conditions.
A power-aware multi harvester power unit with hydrogen fuel cell for embedded systems in outdoor applications2013 International Green Computing Conference Proceedings / Michele Magno;Danilo Porcarelli;Luca Benini;Davide Brunelli. - ELETTRONICO. - (2013), pp. 1-6. (Intervento presentato al convegno Green Computing Conference (IGCC), 2013 International tenutosi a Arlington, VA, USA nel 27-29 June 2013) [10.1109/IGCC.2013.6604509].
A power-aware multi harvester power unit with hydrogen fuel cell for embedded systems in outdoor applications2013 International Green Computing Conference Proceedings
MAGNO, MICHELE;PORCARELLI, DANILO;BENINI, LUCA;BRUNELLI, DAVIDE
2013
Abstract
Energy availability and long term operation are key challenges for wireless sensor networks and the applications where embedded devices are battery-operated and they should operate unattended for tens of years. For this reason energy harvesting (EH) is becoming very important for powering ubiquitously deployed sensor networks and mobile electronics. In this paper we introduce a Smart Power Unit (SPU) for embedded systems which integrates energy harvesters from the sun and wind with hydrogen fuel cells especially designed for outdoor applications. The power unit can work as a standard battery or providing serial communication to exchange power information to achieve power management.Experimental results show the high efficiency (up to 90%) of the power conversion subsystem and the perpetual work. Deployment in a structural health monitoring in Switzerland demonstrates that perpetual energy sustainability is achievable in real-life conditions.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
