The energy transition represents a crucial challenge for our society. In the face of the climate emergency, energy recovery offers an innovative alternative. This technology, which captures environmental energy, promises to transform the way we produce and consume energy.

Syscom-Prorep, expert in the integration of industrial electronic solutions, occupies a central position in this field. The company promotes the adoption of these technologies in industry, paving the way for a more environmentally-friendly energy future.

The statistics speak for themselves: the global market for energy recovery systems is expected to reach $820 million by 2026, with annual growth of 12.75%. This expansion is driven by the increase in connected objects, which are expected to double in number by 2025, reaching over 27 billion IoT connections.

Companies like ATIM Radiocommunication are pioneers in this field. Their e-Green sensor, based on LoRaWAN technology, demonstrates the potential of energy recovery to create autonomous, reliable devices.

Key points to remember

  • Energy recovery collects ambient energy from the environment
  • The global market will reach $820 million in 2026
  • 27 billion connected objects by 2025
  • Sources include solar, vibratory and electromagnetic energy.
  • Innovations such as ATIM's e-Green sensor demonstrate the potential of this technology

Understanding the energy transition and its challenges

The energy transition is a major global challenge. It aims to replace fossil fuels with renewable sources. This transformation is crucial to combating climate change and ensuring a sustainable future.

Current climate challenges

Global warming is threatening our environment. Greenhouse gas emissions must fall by 45% by 2030 compared with 2010. To achieve this, we need to develop efficient energy collectors and innovative autonomous systems.

The importance of decarbonization

Decarbonization is essential if we are to achieve our climate objectives. The IEA predicts that fossil fuels will have to supply less than 20% of energy by 2050. Investment in clean energy is expected to reach $4 trillion per year by 2030.

European targets for 2050

Europe is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050. To achieve this, it is counting on :

  • The development of renewable energies
  • Improving energy efficiency
  • Deploying autonomous systems and energy sensors

The European Union is forecasting an energy storage capacity of 300 GWh by 2030. Solutions like those from Syscom-Prorep, integrating LoRa and GNSS technologies, play a key role in this transition.

Energy harvesting: principles and applications

Energy harvesting opens up new horizons for powering electronic devices. This innovative technique harnesses ambient energy in various forms to generate usable electricity. It represents a significant advance in energy management.

Ambient energy sources

Nature is full of usable energy sources:

  • Heat
  • Vibrations
  • Light
  • Electromagnetic waves

These energies, often neglected, can be captured and transformed into electricity using advanced technologies. Micro-generators and piezoelectricity play a key role in this transformation.

Energy recovery technologies

Micro-generators convert mechanical movements into electrical energy. Piezoelectricity exploits the deformation of certain materials to produce a current. These innovations enable the creation of energy-independent systems.

Industrial applications

Energy harvesting has many industrial applications. Battery-free sensors monitor wastewater treatment plants. In the automotive industry, integrated sensors powered by ambient energy monitor various parameters. Ultra-low-power sensor networks pave the way for autonomous wireless applications.

Syscom-Prorep offers energy management solutions to optimize the use of recovered energy. These technologies promise a future in which electronic devices operate autonomously. Without the need for traditional batteries, they pave the way for greater energy autonomy.

Hydropower: the leader in renewable energies

Hydropower stands out as a leading source of renewable energy in France. With over 1,730 installations in 2014, the country leads the European rankings for small hydroelectric power plants. This technology represents a stable, complementary solution to intermittent energies such as solar power and thermoelectricity.

The city of Saint-Etienne illustrates the potential of urban hydropower. Its 350 kW plant reduces CO2 emissions by 140 tonnes a year. The Rondeau project, costing 8.7 million euros, supplies 5,700 people with electricity. Its turbines, spinning at just 50 rpm, minimize environmental impact.

There are several advantages to developing hydropower in urban areas:

  • Lower grid connection costs
  • Use of existing infrastructures
  • Potential for an additional 1,000 MW in France
  • Support for intermittent energies such as solar power

Syscom-Prorep, with its 30 years of experience, contributes to the integration of innovative hydroelectric solutions. The company combines this technology with thermoelectricity and solar energy to create high-performance hybrid energy systems. This paves the way for a more sustainable energy future.

Innovations in solar energy

Solar energy is living through an era of technological transformation. In 2023, France produced a record 21.5 TWh of photovoltaic solar energy. Advances in photovoltaic systems, innovative storage solutions and building applications are revolutionizing our energy management.

New photovoltaic systems

Perovskite solar cells represent a significant advance. They require 10 to 1000 times less material than silicon cells. Solar panels made from food waste offer an environmentally-friendly solution, using luminous particles from discarded fruit and vegetables.

Innovative storage solutions

Supercapacitors are now an integral part of solar systems. They reduce dependence on batteries, improve durability and reduce electronic waste. This technology is particularly effective for storing the energy recovered by solar transducers.

Building applications

Intelligent buildings incorporate sophisticated energy management systems. These systems optimize the conversion and use of captured solar energy. 3D-printed solar trees, capable of capturing solar, kinetic and thermal energy, are revolutionizing urban architecture.

Syscom-Prorep offers display solutions and embedded systems that integrate perfectly with these solar innovations. Their TFT, OLED and e-paper displays, as well as their industrial PCs, improve the control and monitoring of solar systems, making energy management more efficient than ever.

The wind power revolution

Wind power is growing by leaps and bounds. By 2023, it will account for 7.8% of global electricity production. China dominates new installations with a 66% market share, followed by the USA and Germany. Denmark stands out with 57.7% of its electricity coming from wind power.

Global wind power capacity reached 1 terawatt in June 2023, marking 40 years of steady progress. In France, wind power generated 50.7 TWh in 2023, or 10.2% of the country's electricity. These figures testify to the potential of wind energy recovery.

Innovations are revolutionizing the sector. A new 5 kW bladeless wind turbine generates an average of 14.3 MWh per year. With its compact 3-meter design, it operates silently. Installed in series on roofs, it can generate 50% more energy than an equivalent photovoltaic system.

Energy sensors play a crucial role in optimizing wind turbines. They enable precise performance monitoring and facilitate predictive maintenance. Syscom-Prorep offers customized display and battery solutions for wind farms, contributing to the growth of this clean energy.

The promise of osmotic energy

Osmotic energy opens up new perspectives in the field of renewable energies. This innovative technology exploits the difference in salinity between fresh and salt water to produce clean, sustainable electricity.

Operating principle

The process relies on the osmotic pressure created when two solutions of different salinity are separated by a semi-permeable membrane. Fresh water flows naturally through the membrane towards the salt water, generating pressure. This pressure can be converted into electricity via a turbine.

Existing installations

Several osmotic energy pilot projects have been launched around the world. In Norway, an experimental power plant is using autonomous systems to optimize production. In the Netherlands, osmotic micro-generators are being tested in a river estuary.

Development potential

Osmotic energy has great growth potential. Technological advances in membranes and autonomous systems offer the prospect of increased yields. The integration of micro-generators could make it possible to exploit smaller sources of brackish water.

To ensure the smooth running of these complex installations, high-performance connectivity solutions are crucial. They enable real-time monitoring and optimized management of osmotic energy production.

Bioluminescence: lighting for the future

Nature provides inspiration for future lighting through bioluminescence. This phenomenon in certain living organisms could transform our lighting systems. They would become more ecological and consume less energy.

Bioluminescence results from a chemical reaction. Luciferin, oxidized by luciferase, produces light. This bio-inspired technology opens the way to innovative applications. Examples include ultra-sensitive biosensors and non-invasive biomedical imaging techniques.

Researchers are working on triplet-singlet energy systems (TS-FRET). Their aim is to create materials with organic remanence. These advances enable long-lasting light emissions. Lifetimes reach up to 2.46 seconds, with high quantum efficiencies of 23.4%.

The integration of piezoelectricity and thermoelectricity could optimize these systems. Piezoelectricity would convert mechanical vibrations into electricity. Thermoelectricity would transform temperature differences into usable energy.

Despite its potential, bioluminescence faces a number of challenges. Its efficiency is inferior to that of artificial light sources. Large-scale production of bioluminescent materials remains complex. Energy management solutions, like those from Syscom-Prorep, are crucial to optimizing these innovative systems.

Low-carbon hydrogen and fuel cells

Low-carbon hydrogen is positioning itself as a key energy vector for the decarbonization of sectors resistant to electrification. The production of green hydrogen, mainly from solar energy, opens up unprecedented prospects for the energy transition.

Green hydrogen production

Innovative initiatives are being developed for sustainable hydrogen production. The CALEX4H2 project focuses on the emergence of electrolyzers based on nickel, phosphorus and sulfur. This innovation aims to reduce costs and environmental footprint. The CoMet project is exploring graphitic carbon nitride photocatalysts for solar hydrogen.

Transportation applications

The transport sector is benefiting from advances in hydrogen technology. In Germany, the National Hydrogen Innovation Program (NIP) is funding the development of recharging stations in Berlin and Hamburg. This program, with a budget of 1.4 billion euros over 10 years, supports 170 projects involving the automotive, energy and research sectors.

Technological challenges

Despite these advances, challenges remain. Improved transducers and energy recovery systems are essential for fuel cell efficiency. Syscom-Prorep, for example, offers customized solutions, such as displays and batteries, to meet the requirements of this growing sector.

Biomass and biogas: resources for the future

Biomass and biogas are positioning themselves as key alternatives for the future of energy recovery. These innovative technologies promise to transform energy management. They aim to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, which have been essential until now.

Biomass is based on the use of organic matter to generate energy. Second-generation biofuels, made from agricultural and forestry residues, offer major ecological advantages. They reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 83-90% compared with conventional diesel.

Biogas, produced by the methanization of organic waste, has promising potential. However, the process is not without its challenges. The increase in methanization-related incidents, from 6 to 38 per year per 1,000 digesters since 2015, highlights the importance of meticulous management.

Microalgae, considered third-generation biofuels, promise yields up to 50 times higher than traditional oil crops. This innovation opens up unprecedented prospects for energy recovery.

The use of residues and wastes in biofuel production is in line with the logic of sustainable energy recovery. This approach reduces environmental impact and improves resource efficiency. It contributes to more responsible energy management.

Intelligent energy management solutions

Intelligent energy management is transforming the way we consume energy. It uses advanced technologies such as ambient energy and energy sensors. These innovations enable more efficient and sustainable use of resources.

Automated control systems

Automated control systems are essential for optimizing energy use. Companies such as e-peas and EnOcean are creating energy harvesting technologies. These technologies power autonomous IoT sensors, which collect data in real time. This enables precise energy management in buildings and industrial facilities.

Optimizing consumption

Optimizing consumption relies on innovative solutions. For example, TCT has developed an autonomous current sensor. It uses energy recovery technology and is compatible with LoRa and BLE. These technologies reduce dependence on batteries, thus cutting maintenance costs and environmental impact.

Smart grids

Smart grids are changing the way energy is distributed. They use energy sensors and ambient energy to balance production and consumption in real time. Syscom-Prorep offers connectivity solutions and embedded systems that integrate seamlessly into these networks. This paves the way for more efficient and sustainable energy management.

FAQ

What is energy recovery and why is it important?

Energy harvesting involves transforming environmental energy into electricity. This technology is essential to the energy transition. It enables us to create autonomous and efficient systems, reducing our dependence on traditional energies and our carbon footprint.

What are Europe's energy transition targets for 2050?

Europe is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050. This implies a drastic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. We also need to increase the share of renewable energies in our energy mix and improve energy efficiency in all sectors.

What are the main sources of exploitable ambient energy?

The main sources of ambient energy include heat, vibrations, light and electromagnetic waves. These energies can be converted into electricity using a variety of technologies. These include thermoelectricity, piezoelectricity, photovoltaic cells and RF energy recovery antennas.

How does hydropower contribute to the production of renewable energy in France?

In France, hydropower is the leading renewable energy source. It is crucial to the production of clean electricity and reduces CO2 emissions. Hydropower plants also offer great flexibility in balancing the electricity grid, particularly with solar and wind power.

What are the latest innovations in solar energy?

Recent innovations in solar energy include more efficient photovoltaic systems. There are also advanced storage solutions such as flow batteries and super-capacitors. These advances, together with intelligent energy management systems, optimize the production and use of solar energy.

What is the potential of osmotic energy?

Osmotic energy, based on the difference in salinity between fresh and sea water, is promising. Although still under development, it could provide a constant source of energy. Its potential is particularly interesting in coastal regions where both fresh and salt water are abundant.

How could bioluminescence be used as a lighting source?

Bioluminescence, a natural phenomenon in certain organisms, is being studied for lighting applications. The aim is to develop lighting systems based on this biological principle. These systems could be combined with energy recovery technologies to make them autonomous and environmentally friendly.

What role does low-carbon hydrogen play in the energy transition?

Low-carbon hydrogen, especially green hydrogen, is crucial to the energy transition. It offers a long-term energy storage solution. Fuel cells using this hydrogen hold great promise for decarbonizing various sectors.

How do biomass and biogas contribute to the production of renewable energy?

Biomass and biogas are important sources of renewable energy. They enable organic waste to be recycled. Biomass can be converted into heat, electricity or biofuels. Biogas, derived from fermentation, can produce electricity and heat. These technologies reduce greenhouse gas emissions and manage waste sustainably.

What is an intelligent energy management system?

An intelligent energy management system optimizes energy production, distribution and consumption. It includes automated control systems and consumption optimization methods. These systems often incorporate ambient energy recovery technologies and energy sensors to maximize energy efficiency.

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