Recent developments in energy harvesting and autonomous sensing mean that it is now possible to power wireless sensors solely from energy harvested from the environment. Clearly, this is dependent on sufficient environmental energy such as vibration, heat and light being present.

It is also possible to transfer energy wirelessly to nodes by means of effects such as electromagnetic induction (as used in wireless switches). Energy harvesting is a developing technology area, and prominent technologies facilitate the generation of electricity from electromagnetic induction, electricity from light (photo-voltaics), vibration (vibration energy harvesting) or thermal gradients (thermo-electrics).

The intermittent nature of many environmental energy sources means that viable devices must harvest energy from their operating environment when possible, and buffer excess energy in some kind of energy storage system such as thin-film batteries or supercapacitors.

According to a recently published report from iRAP, Inc., EN105: Ultra-Low Power (Microwatt) Energy Harvesting for Wireless Switches and Wireless Sensor Networking – Types, Applications, New Developments, Industry Structure and Global Markets, the global market for ultra-low power energy harvesting devices estimated to be about $79.5 million in 2009.

In spite of the recession, iRAP estimates that the market will reach $1,254.1 million in 2014, at an average annual growth rate (AAGR) of 73.6 percent. 

Electromagnetic energy harvesting kits will have the highest market share, reaching 88 percent of the market in 2009. By 2014, this share will increase to 92.8 percent. Vibration-to-energy harvesting kits have a much smaller market share, reaching 6.3 percent of the market in 2009.

By 2014, this share will reduce to 3.4 percent. Thermoelectric generators (TEG), photo-voltaic EH, and radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting will have a combined market share of 5.7 percent in 2009. By 2014, this share will reduce to 3.8 percent.

Among the five markets, the potential market for energy harvesting based on wireless sensors and switches in buildings alone is in several billion pieces per year. This market, at $75 million (94.3 percent share) in 2009, will increase to $1,171 million (93.38 percent) in 2014.

Occupancy sensors, window contacts, temperature sensors, gas sensors and many other sensors which are necessary to help make a building energy efficient all are included in the annual potential market of several billions of pieces annually. Most of these sensors (over 90 percent) will have to be maintenance-free (i.e., no battery).

Other Major Findings

Electromagnetic energy harvesting kits will have the highest market share. Vibration-to-energy harvesting kits have a much smaller market share. Thermoelectric generators (TEG), photo-voltaic EH, and radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting will have a combined market share of less than 6 percent in 2009.

Among the five markets, the potential market for energy harvesting based on wireless sensors and switches in buildings alone is in several billion pieces per year with a market share of over 90 percent in 2009.

Although starting with low numbers in 2009, the markets for energy harvesting (EH) devices and wireless sensors used in multiple applications such as WSNs (industrial machinery, agriculture, structural health monitoring), tire pressure monitoring systems and  medical related market such as body area network (BAN) would reach sizable numbers by 2014.

In 2009, the European market share is highest followed by North America, Japan, China, and the rest of the world (ROW).

In 2014, the Europe market share will remain highest, despite a slight share decrease followed by North America. However, China will take over Japan to reach the third place by 2014.

global MARKET for ultra-low power energy harvesting devices by technology, through 2014

($ Millions) 

global MARKET SHARE for ultra-low power energy harvesting devices by technology, 2009 and 2014

($ Millions)

Source: iRAP, Inc

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