Energy Harvesting: Watts needed? Creating a new industry in the UK

Date: Tuesday 13th September 2011, 12:09am-12:17am
Location: Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AG

Note: the slides from this event can be downloaded by following the link at the bottom of this page.

It is estimated that by 2020 there could be as many as 50 billion objects connected through the development of the 'Internet of Things'. The increase in the number of these devices comes at a time when we are trying to reduce our power consumption and climate change impact. Additionally many of these devices will need battery replacement, which is energy inefficient, or recharging, which is inconvenient. The ability for electronic devices to power themselves independently, through scavenging energy from their environments, represents an exciting innovation opportunity.

However, until recently commercially available energy harvesting technologies have remained elusive and are driven by niche requirements. To satisfy future needs such as those described above energy harvesting technology must become commercially ubiquitous; this gives an opportunity for the UK to grow a new industry.

To this end we are considering a possible investment in 'Energy Harvesting Technologies' which would stimulate the development of innovative equipment for the harvesting of energy from the environment for use in powering small - probably portable - devices such as smart phones (perhaps even a laptop computer), sensors and the like. It is expected that power consumption requirements would be Watts or less.

Our aim is to identify the existing barriers to commercial exploitation and develop investments to overcome them. But we need to understand: Where are the opportunities? What are the challenges? And what would help overcome them?

We are to hold a workshop to discuss these and other questions which will arise on the day. The workshop will take the form of a whole-day of seminars and facilitated discussions.

Note: This event is by invitation only. Please contact John Collins at john.collins@tsb.gov.uk if you would be interested in taking part, or if we can provide any further information.

Further Information: http://eh-network.ecs.soton.ac.uk/files/tsb-report2011.pdf