The Interreg Aurora-funded HE4T project aims to find energy harvesting solutions for industry that work without battery power.

Energy harvesting solutions generate energy from different physical phenomena such as sunlight, motion or temperature variations. They aim to reduce the environmental impact of battery use and ensure that wireless sensor solutions become more reliable and maintenance-free.

Energy harvesting works by allowing devices and systems to collect and store energy from their environment. This can be done, for example, by solar panels that convert sunlight into electricity, or by motion-capture devices that convert kinetic energy into electrical current. Temperature fluctuations can also be harnessed through thermoelectric generators.

These energy harvesting solutions allow devices to operate for long periods of time without the need to replace or recharge batteries. This reduces environmental impact and also improves the reliability of wireless sensor solutions, as interruptions caused by battery depletion can be detrimental in industrial applications.

The HE4T (Harvesting Energy for Data Acquisition and Transfer) project will develop and demonstrate different energy harvesting solutions for industrial use cases in the Interreg Aurora regions. These solutions will be tailored to the specific requirements of each use case, exploiting available physical energy sources and taking into account appropriate data transfer and processing needs.

The project will also seek to identify innovative approaches to the use of energy harvesting solutions. By bringing together experts from Finland, Norway and Sweden, the project supports a wider initiative to promote sustainable and efficient energy use in industry. The ultimate goal is to achieve a greener and low-maintenance industrial future.

The project is led by Lapland University of Applied Sciences and involves the University of Vaasa, Luleå University of Technology and the University of Tromsø. The project is funded by Interreg Aurora, the Regional Council of Lapland and the Tromsø and Finnmark County Council. The project started on 1 January 2023 and will run until the end of 2025. The total budget is EUR 1 839 724, of which EU funding is EUR 917 909.

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More information:
Expert Antti Niemelä
+358 50 323 2549
antti.niemela(a)lapinamk.fi
Tietokatu 1, Kemi, Finland

Project website: https://he4t5.webnode.fi/