Energy Harvesting

From low power to no power, TI is the driving force behind
today’s energy harvesting applications.

By enabling 20+ year battery life, TI is opening the door to new applications that were not feasible with traditional battery powered systems. From powering a clock with a grape, to using vehicle vibrations to power sensors on a bridge, to solar powered sensors for wireless monitoring of a farm or winery, TI along with leading energy harvesting vendors, are creating a complete ecosystem allowing designers to not only envision but also create a battery-less world.




Energy Harvesting Basics
  • Energy harvesting is the process by which energy readily available from the environment is captured and converted into usable electrical energy
  • This term frequently refers to small autonomous devices, or micro energy harvesting
  • Ideal for substituting for batteries that are impractical, costly, or dangerous to replace
    
Industry Applications
  • Remote patient monitoring
  • Efficient office energy control
  • Surveillance and security
  • Agricultural management
  • Home automation
  • Long range asset tracking
  • Implantable sensors
  • Structural monitoring
  • Machinery/equipment monitoring

Anatomy of an Energy Harvesting System
Anatomy of an Energy Harvesting System


Characteristics of Energy Harvesting Applications
  • Ability to operate with lowest standby current to maximize storage of energy
  • Consume lowest possible power when active
  • Ability to turn on and turn off instantaneously
  • Efficient operation with lowest duty cycle of active vs. standby modes
  • Analog capability for sensor interfacing and measurements
  • Ability to operate with a low voltage range
  • Lowest leakage currents to maximize harvested energy

Energy Harvesting Solutions
Energy Harvesting Solutions