Energy Harvesting for Remote Wireless Sensor Network Nodes

Abstract

Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) technology is widely used for controlling and monitoring purposes. Advancement accomplished in the past era in wireless communications and microsystems have allowed the change of minor degree and least effort sensor nodes outfitted with remote correspondence abilities ready to manufacture a wireless WSN node. Each sensor node is ordinarily outfitted with one or a couple of detecting units, information preparing units, remote correspondence interface and battery. WSNs have discovered application in an extensive variety of various spaces like home and biomedical health monitoring. Providing continuous supply of energy to these nodes at remote locations is a major concern. The aim of this paper is to provide un-interrupted supply of energy to remote WSN nodes. Solar energy is expected to provide the required energy; however, photovoltaic (PV) based system are not able to operate at night. This may influence the operation of WSN nodes, rendering them useless for that instant. Several techniques have been proposed to provide satisfactory energy storage. However, the utilization of a suitable device to provide the required energy storage and operate WSN node for all day long is an open issue. A complete WSN node is developed for flood monitoring with sensing capacity along with energy harvesting using PV system and storage unit, which is able to harvest and store energy for un-interrupted operation of WSN node at remote sites.