Energy harvesting technologies for wireless sensors in rotating environments

Using sensors to measure parameters of interest in rotating environments and communicating the measurements in real-time over wireless links, requires a reliable power source. In this paper, we have investigated the possibility to generate electric power locally by evaluating six different energy-harvesting technologies. The applicability of the technology is evaluated by several parameters that are important to the functionality in an industrial environment. All technologies are individually presented and evaluated, a concluding table is also summarizing the technologies strengths and weaknesses. To support the technology evaluation on a more theoretical level, simulations has been performed to strengthen our claims. Among the evaluated and simulated technologies, we found that the variable reluctance-based harvesting technology is the strongest candidate for further technology development for the considered use-case.