| Abstract: |
Rapid urbanization, growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) and expansion of smart city initiatives in India have created a strong demand for low-power, autonomous electronic systems. Ambient energy harvesting from renewable sources particularly solar, biomass, micro-hydro, and environmental vibrations offers a pathway to power such smart systems without overburdening the conventional grid. Chhattisgarh, a resource-rich state with high solar insolation and strong biomass availability, is still dominated by coal-based electricity generation, but its renewable energy capacity has grown steadily in the last decade. Recent assessments report a total installed renewable energy capacity of around 1.6 GW, of which solar contributes nearly three-quarters. This paper examines the potential of harvesting ambient renewable energy for sustainable smart systems in Chhattisgarh with a focus on applications in smart cities (Nava Raipur Atal Nagar and Raipur), rural smart villages, precision agriculture, and environmental monitoring. A review of state-level energy transition reports, ambient energy-harvesting literature, and policy documents is combined with a conceptual framework for integrating harvested energy into IoT-based smart infrastructures. Key findings indicate that rooftop solar, small off-grid photovoltaic systems, and biomass-supported microgrids already promoted by the Chhattisgarh State Renewable Energy Development Agency (CREDA) can be effectively combined with ultra-low-power electronics and energy-aware communication protocols to realize energy-neutral smart systems. The paper proposes a multi-tier architecture linking ambient energy harvesters, local storage, edge computing nodes, and cloud platforms. It highlights case examples such as solar-powered street lighting, sensorised water-supply schemes, and tourism-oriented smart villages that already rely on renewable energy, and discusses how these can be scaled into a state-wide digital energy-harvesting ecosystem |
