Harvesting Wasted Energy (Low Voltage Electricity) From Electromagnetic Waves Emmited By Electronic Ballast Lamp (Tube Lights)

This paper presents a concept of harvesting and transferring wasted energy (low electricity energy) generated from electromagnetic waves to a low powered electrical appliances using wireless technology that, does not necessitate interconnecting wires between the antenna and the source of electromagnetic waves referred to in this project as electronic ballast lamp. This study is a ground work for the future alternative energy, especially to areas where supplying normal direct energy is a challenge such as in deep sea exploration and remote areas like in mines, as well as to area where power interruption is a problem. This paper shows how the waste signal and energy in lighting nodes (energy saver lamps) could be collected and converted into useful energy that can later be used to supply power to low voltage electrical appliances. The design work started by simulation using Circuit marker 2000, and then ISIS 7 professional, which was used to develop the design and later used as guidelines in the development of the prototype. The Electromagnetic waves (signal) that is regarded as energy loss available in air is harvested by using an Electromagnetic energy harvesting circuit. This circuit is capable of harvesting the energy and converts it into low voltage electricity. Energy conversion was accomplished by using a wire mesh as an antenna to capture the RF energy and an electronic device that doubles the voltage or the frequency of an input signal called a voltage doublers circuit to convert and magnify the alternating current (AC) input signal to larger direct current (DC) output. The circuit managed to capture 6V (dc voltage) which was stored in a rechargeable battery and developed a power output of about 0.447W. The stored energy in the rechargeable battery was then utilized to power up low-powered electrical appliances such as White LED. General purpose Silicon diodes and capacitors have been used to harvest and amplify the voltage so that a better and higher output can be achieved. This design can further be improved for more stable and larger rechargeable batteries of up to 12Vdc, by the use of combined Germanium diode, Schottky diodes and ceramic capacitors.