Cost Effective Wireless Energy Harvesting from High Voltage Transmission Lines

Project Lead: Dr Michael Behrens (UTS)
Project Partners: UTS/Rapido, Industry partner TBC

Project overview

In many remote and rural areas, providing reliable power to telecommunications equipment is challenging and costly. Traditional methods require laying down extensive distribution lines or costly HV transformers, using less reliable sources like solar panels or carbon-producing sources like diesel generators. 

This project is developing technology to wirelessly harvest energy from high voltage power lines, providing a cost-effective and reliable power source for telecommunications equipment in remote areas and addressing the challenge of powering critical infrastructure in places where traditional methods are impractical. 

By improving connectivity in these regions, the project aims to enhance community access to essential services. Beyond the initial use case, the technology has many potential applications in other areas like drone delivery and the electrification of agriculture.

Objectives and deliverables

Over the past year, UTS Rapido and a transmission partner have developed a proof-of-concept prototype (TRL4) capable of wirelessly harvesting enough energy to power a cellular base station, far surpassing current technology. The prototype has been rigorously tested in the lab and is set for field trials on a high voltage tower once an outage is secured. 

This project will enhance the prototype to improve performance, durability, and environmental resilience, advancing it to TRL6. The project will focus on optimizing the magnetic core design, reducing weight, increasing efficiency, and developing robust controllers for automatic operation. 

The project will deliver: 

• An improved magnetic core design to further optimize harvest efficiency.
• Overall enhancements to the prototype to reach TRL6, increasing efficiency, reducing weight, and enhancing environmental resilience. 
• Robust controllers and algorithms for automatic (re)start and maximum power point tracking. 
• Performance test reports for laboratory and field trials.

Impact to Net Zero targets

The proposal aligns closely with the mission of the NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub and supports the NSW Government’s goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2050 in several key ways: 

1. Supporting Clean Energy Infrastructure: The project introduces a novel method of wirelessly harvesting energy directly from high voltage transmission lines. This technology reduces reliance on carbon-intensive energy sources like diesel generators and less reliable options like solar panels in remote areas. The ability to power telecommunications equipment and other critical infrastructure using existing transmission lines, without additional carbon output, aligns with the state’s strategy to modernise and decarbonise its energy infrastructure. 

2. Supporting Network Capacity Building: The project enhances rural communities by providing improved telecommunication services, which helps build social license and offsets the negative impacts associated with the development of network infrastructure. By expanding transmission capabilities, the project facilitates more efficient energy transfer from renewable energy generators to consumers. This is crucial for transitioning to a modern electricity grid that supports the NSW Government’s decarbonization goals and ensures reliable, low-carbon energy distribution across the state. 

3. Innovative Energy Harvesting for Agriculture: Beyond telecommunications, this project has the potential to transform energy use in agriculture. It offers a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to diesel generators and other carbon- intensive energy sources commonly used in rural and remote agricultural settings. This technology enables the electrification of farming equipment and processes, including electric tractors, which can significantly reduce emissions in one of NSW’s most vital economic sectors. By supporting the adoption of electric tractors and other electrified agricultural machinery, the project contributes to a cleaner, more sustainable future for the agricultural industry. 

4. Fostering Industry Collaboration: The intended collaboration led by UTS Rapido reflects the Hub’s emphasis on partnerships between academia, industry, and government. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that the project leverages the best available knowledge and resources to achieve impactful, long-term outcomes that align with the state’s decarbonization objectives. 

In summary, this proposal directly supports the NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub’s mission by advancing innovative, low-carbon energy solutions, fostering collaboration, and contributing to the state’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050