Energy Harvesting & Micro Batteries: Market Forces and Demand Characteristics, Third Edition

• Publication date: November 2009

Energy harvesting has been “emerging” for several years, but the technology is now poised to break out commercially, driven by developments in areas that are, themselves, emerging applications. The market got its initial acceptance in wireless building automation and control, with deployments in Europe. These opportunities spread to North America, where home automation and control technologies were added to the mix. Wireless sensor mesh netwo...

Energy harvesting has been “emerging” for several years, but the technology is now poised to break out commercially, driven by developments in areas that are, themselves, emerging applications. The market got its initial acceptance in wireless building automation and control, with deployments in Europe. These opportunities spread to North America, where home automation and control technologies were added to the mix. Wireless sensor mesh networks provided challenges that energy harvesting could meet, particularly where battery use was limited or problematic. Energy efficiency, the Smart Grid, radio frequency ID, and thin-film batteries all helped to advance energy harvesting solutions.

The question now is whether energy harvesting will remain a niche application or enable emerging applications such as wireless medical devices, environmental monitoring, and tire pressure sensing. Demand can be measured by the kind and amount of products that are introduced for emerging applications. This was true for digital power management and control, which started with IC makers and moved into ac-dc and dc-dc converters. Pricing is always a critical crossover point, as well. Digital pricing had to reach parity with analog pricing.

The author has been following the energy harvesting market for more years than other analyst firms. In 2005, we recognized the potential of this technology to both capitalize on, and transform, the small but growing wireless sensor market. After working with a number of North American and European companies, this current report is the third edition of our Energy Harvesting report series. Darnell also identified key industry issues and players, and brought them together with the international nanoPower Forum (nPF). Now heading into its fourth year, nPF will be held in May, 2010. This experience provides unique and useful insight into a market that is ready to break out of its emerging status.

Evidence exists that the “crossover” from the “Introduction” phase to the “Growth” phase will take place in the 2009/10 timeframe. This is based on product introductions from EnOcean that started in 2002. By 2005, the second generation of products was introduced and other companies were offering new products, as well. In 2006, Electronica featured many European companies that had first generation products, while EnOcean was already on the second generation. In November, 2009, the EnOcean Alliance publicized their energy harvesting standard, which presently contains 50 equipment profiles supporting the development of a variety of solutions for building automation. The size of the installations is increasing, and third-generation products have appeared in 2009.

As noted above, the appearance of third-generation products often signals the crossover into the Growth phase. Based on the timeline and company activity of the EnOcean Alliance members, energy harvesting is poised for commercial adoption, with market share increasing. The time it will spend in the Growth phase is hard to predict at this point, but this phase is marked by rapid acceleration in sales and significant gains in market share, overall. It will present a good opportunity for makers of energy harvesting solutions.

Darnell has identified the following drivers for ultra-low-power:
• Bi-directionality, including data rates and range.
• Network security, primarily data integrity.
• Real time monitoring.
• Environmental regulations.
• Remote communication with “host” system.
• Proliferation of sensor mesh networks.

The global economic crisis has affected sales of wireless sensor devices, but companies are still seeing opportunities during the downturn. Companies like Cypress Semiconductor, austriamicrosystems and Future Electronics were interviewed on this subject, and the general consensus was that the trend toward “more intelligent machines” would continue, with more – not less – sensing functionality built into devices. For example, the number of cars being sold might decline, but the number of sensors inside each car is rising.

Some sectors are being affected more than others, according to these companies, particularly with the decline in new housing starts and other commercial construction. In a downturn, companies focus on efficiency and cost saving. Where they are able to do so, they will invest in systems that lead to more automation and greater efficiency, which in turn will lead to continued growth in the sensor market. Motion control, automotive and security systems were cited, in particular.

A 2009 ON World survey of 76 facility managers and IT directors found that 21% are currently using wireless sensors, and 32% are planning to implement wireless sensor network (WSN) solutions within the next two years. WSN markets currently gaining traction include hospitality, healthcare, data centers, lighting control, energy management systems, and “large open spaces” in manufacturing, warehousing and parking garages. The labor costs and set-up problems associated with wiring and changing batteries give WSNs powered by energy harvesting a distinct advantage.

Energy harvesting is being deployed, particularly in building automation sensor applications. Overall, however, it is still in the development stages. Industry players indicate multiple energy harvesting technologies will most likely be required, since each technology has its own set of advantages and trade-offs, depending on the application. Energy storage appropriate to energy harvesting is also critical, and such solutions – like thin-film batteries and supercapacitors – are now being introduced. As a result, wide-scale adoption is likely to require partnerships that include sensor manufacturers, ultra-low-power electronics manufacturers and energy harvesting makers.

Power requirements of some portable devices can “overlap” with energy harvesting solutions, creating incremental markets. For example, a two-way Bluetooth earpiece device requires too much power for energy harvesting in active mode. In sleep mode, however, the power requirements are low enough that energy harvesting could be used. Determining the “load profile” of the device is critical to these overlapping applications. Data rates and range are important, and they have already determined the early adopters of energy harvesting technology. Future adoption is expected in areas such as medical applications.

New energy harvesting “subsystems,” such as Infinite Power Solutions’ INFINERGY™ system, is a solid-state design that will simplify integration. Batteries were the weak spot in wireless sensor applications, and – until thin-film batteries – their packaging was antithetical to longevity. But thin-film batteries are small and can now be integrated into the wireless sensor system – and theoretically last the life of the system. This also provides customers with energy storage choices: traditional batteries; supercapacitors; or thin-film battery energy harvesting.

Just as wireless sensor networks have created opportunities for energy harvesting and thin-film battery technologies, the latter are driving demand for innovative materials and packaging. In order to allow large-scale manufacturing and market penetration, low-cost yet high-value solutions are needed, such as increased integration. Such solutions simplify design and are expected to lead to economies of scale and reduced costs, which are critical to the adoption of any new, emerging technology. Companies are addressing this need, sometimes directly; but oftentimes the developments come from related fields that could find application in ultra-low-power wireless applications.

Energy harvesting devices are still currently priced according to the perceived benefit of not having to change or rely on batteries. Therefore, energy harvesting devices inevitably cost more than batteries at a time in their development where demand and, in some cases technology, are insufficiently developed to drive mass production. Still, what will ultimately drive the sales of energy harvesting devices is the cost of copper versus silicon. Copper wiring is expensive. Silicon is cheap, and wireless technologies invariably rely on silicon, not copper. “Cutting the cord” is not just a matter of convenience; it is a less costly solution.
Energy harvesting is still on the cusp of its crossover from Introduction to Growth. This transition will provide companies with significant sales and “branding” opportunities.


Topics covered include:

• Commercialization Status
• Application Trends
• Power Levels
• Energy Storage Trends
• Energy Harvesting Technologies
• Packaging and Materials
• Value Proposition and Cost Analysis
• Standards Update
• nanoPower Forum: A Review of Key Developments

Energy harvesting has been “emerging” for several years, but the technology is now poised to break out commercially, driven by developments in areas that are, themselves, emerging applications. The market got its initial acceptance in wireless building automation and control, with deployments in Europe. These opportunities spread to North America, where home automation and control technologies were added to the mix. Wireless sensor mesh networks provided challenges that energy harvesting could meet, particularly where battery use was limited or problematic. Energy efficiency, the Smart Grid, radio frequency ID, and thin-film batteries all helped to advance energy harvesting solutions.

Darnell has identified the following drivers for ultra-low-power:
• Bi-directionality, including data rates and range.
• Network security, primarily data integrity.
• Real time monitoring.
• Environmental regulations.
• Remote communication with “host” system.
• Proliferation of sensor mesh networks.

Evidence exists that the “crossover” from the “Introduction” phase to the “Growth” phase will take place in the 2009/10 timeframe. The appearance of third-generation products often signals the crossover into the Growth phase. Based on the timeline and company activity of EnOcean Alliance members and over 200 other organizations and companies, energy harvesting is poised for commercial adoption, with market share increasing. The time it will spend in the Growth phase is hard to predict at this point, but this phase is marked by rapid acceleration in sales and significant gains in market share, overall. It will present a good opportunity for makers of energy harvesting solutions.

Wireless Technology Industry in the United States

Table of Contents

Introduction 4
Commercialization Status 7
Application Trends 9
Home Automation 9
Building Automation 12
Industrial Process 14
Environmental Monitoring 17
Automated Meter Reading 19
Medical 22
Military/Aerospace and Related 24
Automotive 27
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) 29
Other Trends 31
Power Levels 32
Energy Storage Trends 37
Thin-film Batteries 39
Primary Batteries 40
Rechargeable Batteries 41
Supercapacitors/Ultracapacitors 41
Energy Storage Comparison 43
Self-Discharge 46
Energy Harvesting Technologies 47
Photovoltaic 49
Thermoelectric 49
Mechanical Vibration 50
Radio Frequency 52
Other Trends 53
Packaging and Materials 54
Value Proposition & Cost Analysis 57
Standards Update 61
Appendix A – nanoPower Forum Shows Road to Commercialization: A Review of Key Developments 65
Appendix B – EnOcean Alliance Members and Representative Installations 69


List of Tables


Table 1 – Selected Applications and Power Requirements 33
Table 2 – Energy Harvesting Functions and Power Levels 33
Table 3 – Energy Harvesting Technologies and Power Levels 35
Table 4 – Energy Storage Devices, Self-Discharge Rates 46
Table 5 – Selected Power Sources and Applications 48
Table 6 – Energy Harvesting Systems, Power and Cost 59
Table 7 – Energy Harvesting Installation Cost Savings 60
Table 8 – Inventory Management Cost Options, Wired vs Wireless Automation Investment 60

List of Figures


Figure 1 – Product Life Cycle Curve for Energy Harvesting Technologies 8
Figure 2 – Nokia Home Control Center Device 11
Figure 3 – Piezoelectric Power Generating Floors 14
Figure 4 – Fisher® Wireless Position Monitors 16
Figure 5 – Voltree Sensor Node 18
Figure 6 – SecureMesh™ Powerline Repeater 22
Figure 7 – Body Area Networks, Data Rate vs Power Levels 24
Figure 8 – Bell M412 Test Flight 26
Figure 9 – Pico Cube Architecture 28
Figure 10 – Power Consumption and Data Rates 34
Figure 11 – Portable versus Energy Harvesting 36
Figure 12 – Thin-film Lithium Battery for Implantable Medical Device 39
Figure 13 – Freescale “Hive Node” 43
Figure 14 – Energy Storage Devices, Cycle Life 44
Figure 15 – Energy Storage Devices, Specific Energy Density (Wh/kg) 44
Figure 16 – Energy Storage Devices, Specific Power Density (W/kg) 45
Figure 17 – TE-Power NODE Thermoelectric Sensor System 50
Figure 18 – JTRA-e5mini Power Supply 51
Figure 19 – System-in-Package Microsensor 57
Figure 20 – Typical Forecast for Average Sale Prices for WSN Nodes for Commercial Buildings 59
Figure 21 – Issues with Primary Batteries in Wireless Sensor Networks 61


Companies cited


3M Innovative Properties
A&H Meyer
Abcshop24.de
Ad Hoc Electronics
AdaptivEnergy
Adidas Herzogenaurach
Advanced Cerametrics
AIXTRON
Akktor
Alvi Technologies
Amber Wireless
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
Analog Devices
Arveni
ASP
Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB)
Atlas Group
austriamicrosystems
AutoGlobal Business Network
Avnet
AVX
B.TIB
Belgacom
Berkeley Wireless Research Center, University of California at Berkeley
Betec Controls
Blue Spark Technologies
Boot Up
British Petroleum (BP)
BSC
Bureau of Land Management
Cao Group Inc.
CAP-XX
CaridoNet
Cisco
Columbia University
Cooper Power Systems
CSIRO
Cymbet
Cypress Semiconductor
Digi-Key Corp.
DigiTower
Dimonoff
Distech Controls
Dogma
Douglas Lighting Controls
e2v
East Japan Railway Company
Echoflex
EHRT Canada
Elsyst
Eltako Electronics
EMerge Alliance
Emerson Process Management
Energie Agentur
Engenuity Systems
Engineered Tax Services
EnOcean
EnOcean
EnOcean Alliance
Enotech
ESIC
European Commission
European Nanoelectronics Initiative Advisory Council
European Smart Metering Industry Group
Excellatron Solid State
Extronics
FACE
Ferro Solutions
Firetide
France Telecom
Freescale Semiconductor
Friedl Elektro-Systeme
Front Edge Technology
Fry’s
Functional Devices Inc.
Funkhtechnik
Future Electronics
GainSpan
GE Consumer & Industrial
GE Energy
GE Healthcare
Georgia Institute of Technology, Center for Nanostructure Characterization
Georgia Tech Analog, Power and Energy IC Research Lab
GreenLink Conservation Alliance
Grid Net
Hagemeyer
Hansgrohe
Hautau
Hesch Industrie-Elektronik
Hewlett-Packard
HK Instruments
Hochschule Biberach
Hochschule Luzern
Holst Centre/IMEC
Honeywell
Hoppe
Hotel Platzl Munich
Hotel Technology
Hydro One
IBM Zurich Altstetten
IBZ
IK Elektronik
IKEA
Illumra
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Infineon Technologies
Infinite Power Solutions
Innovation Incubation Alliance
Insys Microelectronics
Intel Corp.
Interior Automation
International Society of Automation
InTouch
Ipcontrols
Ivory Egg
Jäger Direkt
Jennic
Johnson Controls
Joint Center for Housing Studies, Harvard University
Kaga Electronics Co. Ltd.
Kagoshima University
Kansas State University
KCF Technologies
Keti
Kieback & Peter
KNAB
Koenig Consulting Inc.
KVL Comp
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
LCD Lighting Controls
Ledalite
Less Wire
Leviton
LG Electronics
Logico2
LonMark International
Louisville Gas & Electric
Lowe’s
Lumedyne
Magnum Energy Solutions
Martin Weber Elektroanlagen GmbH
Masco
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Maxim
MeshNetics
MicroGen
Micropelt
Microstrain
MK Electric (a Honeywell Business)
Mondial Electronic
Montage Systems
Moritani
Motorola
Nanotron Technologies
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Nestle
New Buildings Institute
New Energy Technologies
Nextreme Thermal Solutions
Nokia
Nuuon
Oak Ridge MicroEnergy
Obermeyer Planen + Beraten
Oki Semiconductor
Omnio
ON Semiconductor
Orkit
Osram
Osram Sylvania
Panasonic Corporation
Paper Battery Co.
Peha
Perpetuum
Plextek
Pohlmann Funkbussysteme
Polar Bear
Powercast
PressFinish
Probare
Promutuel Insurance
Prudential Ltd.
Pyrecap
Qualcomm
RadioShack
Regulvar
RF4CE Consortium
Rohm Co. Ltd.
Royal Philips Electronics
RS Group
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
SAP
SAT
Sauter
Schlage
Schulte Elektrotechnik
Selmoni
Semper Opera Dresden
Sensor Dynamics
Servodan
Siemens
Sifri
Singapore Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A-STAR)
SolarBotanic
Sony Corporation
Spartan Peripheral Devices
Spoon2
ST Microelectronics
St. Andrews Cathedral, Canada
Steute
STW
StyliQ
SVTC
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (TSMC)
Tambient
Teleprofi
Terepac Corp.
Teridian
Texas Instruments
Texas Micropower
ThD
There Corporation
Thermmokon Sensortechnik
Thing Magic
T-Mac Technologies
Tridium
Trilliant
Trudeau International Airport
Tyndall Institute
Ulvac Inc.
Unitronic AB
Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Spain
University of California at Berkeley
University of Washington
Unotech
UPM Raflatac
US Air Force
US Congress
US Department of Energy
US Department of Justice
US Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
US Forest Service
VA Medical Center
Vaughan Foods
Vicos
Voltree Power
Wago
Washington State University, St. Louis
WeberHaus
Web-IT
Welcomm
WIT
WM Ocean
Wofram Friedl
Xtramart
Ytlcn
Zarlink Semiconductor
Zebra Technologies
ZHAW
ZigBee Alliance
Zumtobel