Sustainable IoT Systems Enabled by Supercapacitor Integration

The rapid expansion of self-powered IOT systems has demanded sustainable power sources for the sensor networks. The IOT system uses different batteries which have some limitations such as lower lifespan, needs replacement with time and environmental issues. Energy harvesting systems use the different power sources like solar energy, mechanical, thermal to convert it into electrical power. However, the low power natures of these sources necessitates better energy sources with the high energy density and low environmental impact.

This chapter represents the energy harvesting systems for the Internet of things with the integration of supercapacitors. Supercapacitors are the energy storage devices which act as the replacement of batteries and have advantages such as high power density, longer lifetime, rapid charging-discharging capabilities that serve as efficient energy devices for the self-powered IOT systems. Furthermore, the chapter also analyses the current challenges of complexity of integration of energy sources, low energy efficiency and low power sources. The chapter concludes by the future research scope for the self-powered sustainable and low cost IOT systems.