Energy Harvesting Methods for Powering a Telematics Module
A survey of vehicles’ on-board, non-battery, energy sources
This paper reviews methods for powering a vehicle telematics module by using energy harvested independently from the vehicle battery. Telematics modules use wireless communication to control and/or monitor certain functions in moving vehicles. These include private consumer vehicles or commercial fleets, including taxis, rental vehicles, trucks, or trailers.
We discuss:
- Use of photovoltaic cells as energy source, emphasizing cell efficiency and power availability for various geographic locations and seasons
- Three methods for harvesting kinetic energy: electro-mechanical, electrostatic, and piezoelectric. We outline new research by Fidus, and survey several devices that derive energy from vibrations.
- (Briefly) the harvesting of wind energy.
In one section we review available methods and devices for harvesting power from temperature differentials in the engine bay, chiefly the exhaust manifold or pipe. Based on the Seebeck effect, thermo-electric generators use temperature differentials to output electrical energy.
We consider the viability of these methods of energy harvesting to power vehicle telematics modules.
Energy Harvesting Methods for powering a vehicle telematics module provides practical help for design engineers, project managers and executives in the energy harvesting and Telematics industries.
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