Experimental Investigations of the Thermoelectric Generator for Energy Harvester of Indoor Air Quality Sensor Node

Sensor nodes are an important component in Internet of Things technology that collects data from the surrounding environment. One of the main challenges in operating sensor nodes is their dependence on batteries that require regular maintenance. In an effort to increase energy efficiency and reduce maintenance costs, this research investigates the potential of Thermoelectric Generators as an alternative energy source. The study includes selection of Thermoelectric Generator elements, measurement and performance analysis in various temperature conditions. In the investigation of power generation, the body temperature and chamber temperature served as heat sources, while three Seebeck Effect Modules were utilized on the heat sink plate with both series and parallel configurations. The experimental results show that a temperature difference of 5° Celsius produces power between 8.37-10.35 milliwatts. This study demonstrates important insights into the potential and constraints of using Thermoelectric Generators for indoor sensor node self-power generation. Moreover, by considering the power consumption of the developed sensor node in the previous study, this power is sufficient to increase the power source of the sensor nodes.