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Energy Harvesting from Ambient Sources for IoT Devices: A Sustainable Approach to Powering the Internet of Things

Winner Minah- Eeba, Obomeghie Mariam Abdul-Wajid

Abstract


As the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to scale across sectors, powering distributed sensor nodes and devices sustainably and autonomously remains a major challenge. Traditional batteries present limitations in terms of maintenance, environmental impact, and operational lifespan, particularly in remote or inaccessible environments. This study explores ambient energy harvesting as a viable solution to power low-energy IoT devices by harnessing energy from solar, thermal, mechanical, and radio frequency (RF) sources. A hybrid energy harvesting system is proposed and simulated using MATLAB/Simulink, incorporating advanced power management via maximum power point tracking (MPPT), DC-DC converters, and energy storage components. The system’s performance is analyzed under varying ambient conditions to assess harvested power, energy efficiency, and device uptime. Simulation results demonstrate that combining multiple energy sources offers improved power stability and sustainability for IoT applications. The study underscores the promise of energy harvesting as a path toward scalable, maintenance-free, and environmentally responsible IoT systems.


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References


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