A scoping study of electric and magnetic field energy harvesting for wireless sensor networks in power system applications

Abstract

This paper explores the existing energy harvesting technologies, their stage of maturity and their feasibility for powering sensor nodes. It contains a study of the energy requirements of the sensor nodes that are a part of the commercial domain. Further, it investigates methods and concepts for harvesting the energy from electric and magnetic fields present near utility assets through laboratory experimentation. The flux concentrator based approach that scavenges the magnetic field was considered to be the most promising solution providing nearly 250 mW of power sufficient to power a sensor node.