Environmental comparison of energy scavenging technologies for self-sufficient micro system applications

The implementation of energy scavenging technologies in distributed, self-sufficient micro systems offers new approaches to the realization of long-time power supplies within reasonable system dimensions. In this article various technical solutions to supply a low-power micro system with basic functions and fixed energy requirements are examined from an environmental point of view. Based on the material composition of state-of-the-art scavengers accurately described in literature, the toxic content of these devices is evaluated and compared to the long-term use of a primary lithium battery. Environmental impact of the various technical approaches is discussed on the basis of the results.