Down Hole and Harsh Environment Long-Term Energy Harvesting


 

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Projects

Oil and gas companies deploy monitoring systems down hole to optimize the production rate of hydrocarbons. Typically, these systems are powered from the surface by running cable through the casing-tubing annulus. The possibility exists that these cables can become damaged or severed over the life of the well resulting in production down time. Our current research is focused on developing a down hole energy harvesting and storage system that is capable of converting existing thermal or kinetic energy into electrical energy in the harsh down hole environment. This energy would be drawn upon to periodically power monitoring systems.