Battery-Less Smart Door Sensor Improves Energy Efficiency in IoT with Solar Power and Supercapacitors

Published  September 5, 2024   0
Battery-less, Solar-powered Smart Door Sensor

Smart home technology is continuously evolving, with energy efficiency driving innovation. A standout project in the developer community is the Battery-Less Smart Door Sensor, a highly efficient system that runs entirely without batteries. Powered by solar energy and supercapacitors, this breakthrough device eliminates the need for traditional batteries, making it a sustainable option for smart homes and IoT applications.

Energy Efficiency at its Core

At the heart of this sensor is the ELPM-S3LW module, a low-power powerhouse combining the ESP32-S3FN8 microcontroller with the SX1262 LoRa chip. Designed for IoT and energy-harvesting applications, the module’s deep stop mode technology minimizes power consumption to as low as 1-100 nA.

The device uses solar power from an Epishine solar panel, stored in a Nichicon LSB rechargeable battery, and managed by the AEM10941 energy harvester from e-peas. This configuration allows the sensor to operate independently, eliminating the need for battery replacements.

Smart Door Sensor in Action

The sensor detects door or window activity via a reed switch, with data seamlessly integrated into smart home platforms like Home Assistant. Its compact design and long-lasting supercapacitor ensure continuous operation with minimal maintenance, making it perfect for smart homes, security systems, and industrial automation.

This sustainable project sets a new standard in IoT technology, providing a reliable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional battery-powered devices. The product is set to launch soon and is currently featured on Crowd Supply, with a campaign kickoff expected shortly.