An Electromagnetic Energy Harvester for Wireless Sensors from Power Lines: Modeling and Experiment Verification

Abstract

In this study, harvesters, sensors and data acquisition cards were designed and tested to obtain data from transmission lines. In this context; numerical analyses of harvesters with two different core geometries were performed with Ansys Maxwell software. Then the voltage and power harvested by the harvesters at different line currents were measured with pre-tests in the laboratory. Analyses’ results and pre-test’s results were examined and it was determined that the geometric structure (double C) model suitable for use in overhead transmission lines with high current could be used. The field test was carried out on a distribution transformer. In the field test, the harvester mounted on the transformer supply line has charged the battery supplying the sensor circuit with sufficient power to ensure normal operation of the system. A circuit is designed to measure air temperature, humidity, pressure, altitude, air quality and transformer temperature and to transmit them to the remote distance with RF transmitter. Data received on the data collection card can be recorded at certain periods and time-based graphs of the data can be obtained by a computer interface program. The energy of this circuit is to meet the energy harvested from the electromagnetic field. 

Keywords

• Energy harvester
• Ansys Maxwell
• Power grid
• Harvester
• Monitoring

References

1. [1] Judd, M., Zhu, M., & Roscoe, N.,“Powering Sensors Through Energy Harvesting”, Euro TechCon. Glasgow, Scotland, 1-9, (2012).
2. [2] Dos Santos, M.P., et al. ,“Energy harvesting using magnetic induction considering different core materials”, IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference (I2MTC), Montevideo, Uruguay, (2014)
3. [3] De Moraes Júnior, T. O., Rodriguez, Y. P. M., de Sousa Melo, E. C., dos Santos, M. P., & de Souza, C. P. ,“Energy harvesting based on magnetic dispersion for three-phase power system”, Energy and Power Engineering, 5(3): 20-23, (2013).
4. [4] Zhao, X., Keutel, T., Baldauf, M., And Kanoun, O.,,“Energy Harvesting For Overhead Power Line Monitoring. Systems, Signals And Devices (SSD), International Multi-Conference, (9): 1-5, (2012).
5. [5] Yang, F., et al.,“A novel self-powered lightning current measurement system”, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 65(3): 2745-2754, (2017).
6. [6] Wang, W., Huang, X., Tan, L., Guo, J., And Lıu, H.,“Optimization Design Of An Inductive Energy Harvesting Device For Wireless Power Supply System Overhead High-Voltage Power Lines”, Energies, 9(4): 242, 2016.
7. [7] Wang, Z., Du, J., Wang, R., Huang, W., Hu, W., Wu, J., and HE, X.,“An Enhanced Energy Harvesting Method Based On Resonant Current Transformer For High Voltage AC Cable Monitoring Equipment”, IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition, (APEC 2014), Fort Worth, TX, USA, 3455-3459, (2014).
8. [8] Whıte, R. M., Nguyen, D. S., Wu, Z., And Wrıght, P. K.,“Atmospheric Sensors and Energy Harvesters on Overhead Power Lines”, Sensors, 18(1): 114-114, (2018).

9. [9] Gaıkwad, A. A., And Kulkarnı, S. B.,“Evaluation Of Dimensional Effect On Electromagnetic Energy Harvesting”, Procedia Computer Science, 143: 58-65, (2018).
10. [10] Lıu, Y., Xıe, X., Hu, Y., Qıan, Y., Sheng, G., Jıang, X., And Lıu, Y.,“A Novel High-Density Power Energy Harvesting Methodology For Transmission Line Online Monitoring Devices”, Review Of Scientific Instruments, 87(7): 075119, (2016).
11. [11] Maharjan, P., Salauddın, M., Cho, H., And Park, J. Y. ,“An Indoor Power Line Based Magnetic Field Energy Harvester For Self-Powered Wireless Sensors In Smart Home Applications”, Applied Energy, 232: 398-408, (2018).
12. [12] Boles, J. D., Ozpınecı, B., Tolbert, L. M., Burress, T. A., Ayers, C. W., And Baxter, J. A.,“ Inductive Power Harvesting For a Touchless Transmission Line Inspection System”, IEEE, Power and Energy Society General Meeting, Boston, MA, USA, 1-5, (2016).
13. [13] Yang, F., Du, L., Wang, D., Wang, C., And Wang, Y.,“ A Novel Self-Powered Lightning Current Measurement System”, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 65(3): 2745-2754, (2018).
14. [14] Wu, Z., Nguyen, D. S., White, R. M., Wright, P. K., O’Toole, G., & Stetter, J. R.,“Electromagnetic energy harvester for atmospheric sensors on overhead power distribution lines”, In Journal of Physics: Conference Series , IOP Publishing, 1052(1): 012081, (2018)
15. [15] Sordiashie, E., Moayedi, S., Alahmad, A., Polese, L., & Alahmad, M.,“Harvesting from Ambient Energy: Designing Enabling Technologies for Sustainable Buildings”, IEEE International Conference on Electro Information Technology (EIT), Brookings, SD, USA, 069-078, (2019).
16. [16] Paul, S., Bashır, S., And Chang, J.,“Design of a Novel Electromagnetic Energy Harvester With Dual Core for Deicing Device of Transmission Lines”, IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, 55(2): 1-4, (2018).
17. [17] Yuan, S., Huang, Y., Zhou, J., Xu, Q., Song, C., And Thompson, P., “Magnetic Field Energy Harvesting Under Overhead Power Lines”, IEEE Transactions On Power Electronics, 30(11): 6191-6202, (2015).
18. [18] Zhuang, Y., Xu, C., Yuan, S., He, C., Chen, A., Lee, W. W., And Huang, Y., “An Improved Energy Harvesting System On Power Transmission Lines”, IEEE Wireless Power Transfer Conference, Taipei, Taiwan, 1-3, (2017).
19. [19] Kabakulak, M., Arslan, S., “Numerical analysis of the harvester having toroidal structure and examination of the application results”, International Advanced Researches and Engineering Journal (IAREJ), (2020).
20. [20] Kabakulak M., “Energy harvesting from electromagnetic fields around overhead power lines”, MSc Thesis, Harran University, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Şanlıurfa, (2020).
21. [21] Kabakulak M., Gulluoglu, M. T., Arslan, S., “Comparison of energy harvesters according to change of conductor form”, 1st International Akdeniz Symposium, Mersin, Turkey, 16-26, (2018).
22. [22] Yuan, S., Huang, Y., Zhou, J., Xu, Q., Song, C., And Yuan, G., “A High-Efficiency Helical Core For Magnetic Field Energy Harvesting”, IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 32(7): 5365-5376, (2017).
23. [23] Moon, S. R., Ohodnicki, P., Byerly, K., & Beddingfield, R., “Soft magnetic materials characterization for power electronics applications and advanced data sheets”, IEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition (ECCE), Baltimore, MD, USA, 6628-6633, (2019).
24. [24] National Energy Technology Laboratory. METGLAS® 2605-SA1 core datasheet. Available: https://www.netl.doe.gov/sites/default/files/netlfile/METGLAS-2605-SA1-Core-Datasheet_approved%5B1%5D.pdf
25. [25] Fenercioğlu, A., and Tarimer, I., “Solution Processes of a Magnetic System’s Magnetostatic Analysis with Maxwell 3D Field Simulator”, Selçuk Teknik Dergisi, 6(3): 221-240, (2007).
26. [26] Bayindir, R., Irmak, E., Colak, I., & Bektas, A., “Development of a real time energy monitoring platform”, International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems, 33(1):137-146, (2011).
27. [27] Irmak, E., Calpbinici, A., & Guler, N., “Design of an energy monitoring system for a medium-scale plant”, Pamukkale University Journal Of Engineering Sciences, 18(2):123-131, (2012).
28. [28] Irmak E., Göçmen G., Köse A., “A Smart Home Application Based on Wireless Sensor Networks”, V. European Conference on Renewable Energy Systems (ECRES'2017), Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, 1-5, (2017).
29. [29] Yaman, O., & Biçen, Y. “An Internet of Things (IoT) based Monitoring System for Oil-immersed Transformers”, Balkan Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 7(3): 226-234, (2019).
30. [30] Rosca, S., Riurean, S., Leba, M., & Ionica, A., “A Reliable Wireless Communication System for Hazardous Environments”, In The 2018 International Conference on Digital Science, Springer, Cham, 235-242, (2018).