Imagine a solar panel, but instead of needing sunlight, it pulls electricity directly from the moisture in the air. It works like a sponge for humidity, turning that water vapor into a steady stream of power. This means you could generate electricity even in the dark or in damp environments.
Current renewable energy relies heavily on sunlight or wind, leaving gaps in power generation during the night or in specific climates. There is a need for a continuous, sustainable energy source that can operate independently of weather conditions.
A first-generation humidity-to-electricity converter prototype and a validated lab-scale design targeting 15-20 W/m2.
If you are a sensor manufacturer dealing with battery replacement costs in humid environments — this project developed a converter that targets an output power density of 15-20 mW/cm2. This allows devices to harvest energy from the air, reducing reliance on disposable batteries.
If you are an energy provider dealing with the intermittency of solar and wind — this project developed a humidity-to-electricity technology that provides a new sustainable source of power. It aims for a validated lab-scale output of 15-20 W/m2 to integrate with existing electrical systems.
If you are a building automation firm dealing with high energy consumption for climate control — this project developed a device that captures electricity from atmospheric humidity. This could turn damp indoor air into a source of supplemental power for building electronics.
Based on available project data, there is no specific pricing or cost-per-unit information provided.
The project aims to bring the technology to TRL 5 in lab-scale to make it ready for scaling up and integration with existing EU electrical systems.
Yes, the technology was attested and patented under PCT/UA2019/000147 in 2020.
The solution is designed to address DIRECTIVE (EU) 2018/2001 on the promotion of renewable energy and the EU Strategic Energy Technology Plan.
The project period runs from 2022-04-01 to 2026-03-31, focusing on optimization and scalability before full integration.
The consortium is heavily weighted toward commercial application, with a 56% industry ratio consisting of 5 industrial partners and 4 SMEs. This mix of 9 partners across 6 countries (PT, BE, AT, ES, PL, UA) suggests a strong focus on moving the technology from the lab to the market, combining academic research with industrial scaling capabilities.
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