Written by:

Mohamad Hanif Md Saad, Afzal Ahmed Soomro

Department of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, 

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

(hanifsaad@ukm.edu.my)

Introduction

The race towards developing sustainable measurement systems via battery less IoT is crucial for efficient on-field operation and longevity. Various studies highlighted the significance of monitoring parameters like voltage, current, temperature and state of charge to ensure optimal performance and longevity of batteries in different applications [1]. Improper battery operation due to factors like high storage and operating temperature can significantly impact battery performance and expected service life, emphasizing on need of IoT based monitoring systems to maintain compliance with standards and ensure accurate data collection in real time scenarios [2]. Implementing innovative IoT technologies, such as battery sensors, microcontrollers, and cloud-based analytics, can revolutionize the management and maintenance of batteries in diverse settings, from electric vehicles to intermittent computing IoT devices, promoting sustainability and efficiency in energy utilization. Figure.1 shows simplified cloud based IoT framework different, Figure 2 shows the important hardware components ( IoT gateway and Nodes), Figure 3 shows a sample IoT platform  and  Figure 4 shows sample applications developed using IoT concept.

The Importance of IoT in the Digital Era

The importance of IoT in this digital era can never be underestimated, especially in the domains of intelligent transportation, robotics, and agriculture, is crucial for addressing the challenges associated with their development and implementation. In the context of IoT-enabled intelligent transportation systems, a comprehensive framework is proposed to enhance requirement specifications and overcome existing challenges [3]. Similarly, in the field of robotics, IoT integration enhances robots' capabilities by providing connectivity, data processing, and real-time decision-making abilities [4]. Furthermore, the engineering of IoT systems, such as in agriculture, necessitates early consideration of adaptive system behaviours and use case-based modelling languages to ensure precise system specifications and address complexities effectively [5]. Therefore, understanding and fulfilling the requirements for IoT systems are essential for optimizing their functionality and performance across various applications. 

Figure 5 below shows a sample IoT setup, where several sensors are connected to a gateway and the gateway is then connected a cloud based IoT application created using the ThingsSentral IoT. This configuration is the physical implementation of the framework shown in Figure 1.

Energy Consumption Measurement Using IoT

Energy consumption in IoT systems is a critical aspect addressed by various research studies. Utilizing IoT devices for energy monitoring and control, such as Arduino-based sensors  PZEM004t modules, and ESP32 TTGO TCALL [6] , enables precise data collection and management. Implementing energy optimization algorithms tailored for Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) can significantly enhance energy efficiency and network lifespan. Real-Time Energy Consumption Monitoring (RECM) devices equipped with current sensors facilitate 24/7 monitoring of energy consumption in households, promoting energy conservation efforts [5]. These studies emphasize the importance of accurate energy data collection, efficient energy management mechanisms, and the integration of IoT technologies to address energy consumption challenges and promote sustainable energy practices.

Improving Energy Consumption for IoT Nodes and Gateways

Energy hungry IoT devices can drain batteries quickly, limiting their usefulness. To extend the lifespan of these devices, we can focus on optimizing both the nodes (sensors) and the gateways that collect their data. To enhance energy consumption efficiency in IoT nodes and gateways, various strategies can be implemented. Implementing energy-efficient middleware in IoT systems can help manage interactions and minimize energy demand [7].

Assigning sensing tasks smartly and eliminating redundant tasks can significantly improve energy efficiency in IoT networks [8]. Utilizing smart routing algorithms like the smart ant colony optimization can balance energy consumption among nodes and optimize network performance [9]. Employing data aggregation techniques and reliable routing protocols, such as the Cluster-based Energy-aware & Nearest Neighbour Protocol (CEnNP), can reduce energy consumption, operational costs, and traffic congestion in IoT networks [10]. Additionally, integrating energy-efficient strategies like matrix completion-based sampling algorithms and adaptive RF energy management can further decrease energy consumption and prolong battery life in IoT devices [11]. By combining these approaches, IoT nodes and gateways can achieve significant improvements in energy efficiency and overall performance.  

Future of Batteryless IoT System 

Battery less IoT is poised to be the next game changer. Instead of relying on replaceable batteries, these devices would harvest energy from their environment, like solar panels or vibrations. This eliminates the need for battery replacements, minimizes waste, and opens doors for innovative applications.

Imagine a future where remote sensors in bridges or pipelines gather data for years on end, powered by subtle temperature changes. Tiny biocompatible sensors implanted in the body could continuously monitor health without bulky batteries. Smart cities could be even smarter with a network of self-powered sensors tracking traffic, monitoring the environment, and optimizing resource use – all without the hassle of battery maintenance. While challenges like lower processing power and strategic placement exist, advancements in energy harvesting and low-power electronics are rapidly paving the way for a battery less future. This future holds immense potential to transform how we interact with the world, creating a more sustainable and interconnected reality. Batteryless IoT can come in different configuration, from batteryless IoT nodes and gateways ( Figure 6 ) and also from batteryless IoT microcontrollers (Figure 7). Everactive (https://everactive.com/batteryless-technology/) , a pioneer in batteryless IoT, creates self-powered nodes and gateways that harvest energy from the environment. 

Their technology eliminates the need for battery replacements, making it ideal for large-scale IoT deployments. With a focus on ultra-low power consumption and wireless connectivity, Everactive offers a development kit to empower developers to build sustainable and scalable IoT solutions for various applications like industrial IoT, smart buildings, supply chain, and agriculture. ONiO (https://www.onio.com/products/onio-zero.html)  on the other hand focusses on developing batteryless IoT controller, takes a different approach by focusing on developing batteryless IoT controllers. These are the brains of the operation, handling data processing and decision-making within the IoT device itself, all without the need for a battery. This approach can lead to even smaller, more efficient, and cost-effective IoT solutions. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, movement towards battery less IoT architecture will gain traction in the near future as the utilization of such system can help to save a lot of energy consumed by trillions of IoT devices worldwide. It’s an exciting field in which many research opportunities are still open and subject to research and development activities.

References

1. C. Singhal, "Sustainable Application Support in Battery-Less IoT Sensing Network System," in 2023 IEEE International Conference on Communications Workshops (ICC Workshops), 2023: IEEE, pp. 1277-1282.

2. N. Nadhiroh and R. Fierdaus, "IoT based Battery Storage Temperature Monitoring System," in 2022 5th International Conference of Computer and Informatics Engineering (IC2IE), 2022: IEEE, pp. 258-261.

3. S. Kaleem, A. Sohail, and M. Babar, "An Enhanced Requirement Specification Framework for IoT-enabled Intelligent Transportation Systems using Unified Scheme," in 2023 3rd International Conference on Computing and Information Technology (ICCIT), 2023: IEEE, pp. 135-142.

4. B. Pradhan et al., "Internet of Things and Robotics in Transforming Current‐Day Healthcare Services," Journal of healthcare engineering, vol. 2021, no. 1, p. 9999504, 2021.

5. P. Boutot, M. R. Tabassum, A. Abedin, and S. Mustafiz, "Requirements development for IoT systems with UCM4IoT," Journal of Computer Languages, vol. 78, p. 101251, 2024.

6. L. M. Dagsa, C. M. L. Cillo, J. L. T. Raper, and J. L. B. Montil, "IoT-Enabled Energy Consumption Monitoring and Control System for a Single-Phase Building," in 2023 Second International Conference on Advances in Computational Intelligence and Communication (ICACIC), 2023: IEEE, pp. 1-6.

7. P. V. Borges, C. Taconet, S. Chabridon, D. Conan, and E. Cavalcante, "A Middleware architecture for mastering energy consumption in internet of things applications," in 2023 International Conference on ICT for Sustainability (ICT4S), 2023: IEEE, pp. 66-75.

8. D. Cho, "A redundant sensing elimination technique for improving energy efficiency of IoT sensor networks," in Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2021, vol. 1927, no. 1: IOP Publishing, p. 012001.

9. J. I. Z. Chen and K.-L. Lai, "Machine learning based energy management at internet of things network nodes," Journal: Journal of Trends in Computer Science and Smart Technology September, vol. 2020, no. 3, pp. 127-133, 2020.

10. A. Radwan, "Improving Energy Efficiency Using IoT Technology through the Development of a Smart Network Clustering Path Determined by the Distance between Nodes," 2024.

11. Y. Wang, K. Yang, W. Wan, Y. Zhang, and Q. Liu, "Energy-efficient data and energy integrated management strategy for IoT devices based on RF energy harvesting," IEEE Internet of Things Journal, vol. 8, no. 17, pp. 13640-13651, 2021.