Wireless Sensor Network Energy Harvesting for IoT Applications: Emerging Trends

Abstract

Thanks to the Internet of Things (IoT), we now live in an era of connectivity 
and interaction between a growing set of devices to the internet, other de
vices and ourselves. Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are the core of most 
IoT applications and they constitute the very heart of the IoT technology 
revolution. Yet as these networks intensify use and become more sophisticat
ed, they leave the one challenge behind: the question of how to power them 
efficiently and sustainably. Energy harvesting techniques for WSNs were born 
out as a game-changer of sorts, a solution that can increase the lifespan and 
scope of IoT devices, while leaving a light footprint on the environment. This 
extensive exploration covers the cutting edge of energy harvesting for the 
wireless sensor network, taking a look at how these innovations are set to 
reshape IoT applications. We will find out about a huge variety of technique, 
including solar and thermal energy capture, and kinetic and electromagnetic 
harvesting. In addition, we discuss the challenges this field presents as well 
as the promise of some energy storage solution and the interesting future 
trends for WSN energy harvesting. As the conversation unfolds, you’ll hear 
that energy harvesting is not only a technological requirement, but a fuel 
that feeds innovation in the IoT landscape. These techniques are enabling 
longer lasting, more autonomous devices, while enabling new applications in 
environmental monitoring, smart cities, industrial automation, and beyond. 
Let’s take a peek into the worlds of wireless sensor network energy harvest
ing, and what it could mean for IoT in the future.