A self-powered ice growth sensing system for transmission lines based on a triboelectric nanogenerator and a micro thermoelectric generator

Transmission line icing is a major natural hazard affecting overhead power lines, especially under specific meteorological conditions such as low temperatures, high humidity, and strong winds. Ice overload may cause line faults, structural damage, and even collapse of poles and towers. Traditional ice monitoring approaches have restrictions, such as discontinuous measurement and the inability to support the self-powered operation of the monitoring system. A self-powered monitoring method that utilizes a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) and a micro thermoelectric generator (MTEG) to assess the thickness and growth dynamics of ice on transmission lines is presented. A TENG-based ice thickness sensing model (HP-TENG) employing a PR/PDMS composite friction layer fabricated via an AAO template method is established, integrated with bismuth telluride-based MTEG modules for enhanced energy harvesting and sensing capabilities. A prototype for monitoring the growth state of ice on transmission lines based on a TENG–MTEG is developed. An experiment system that integrates HP-TENGs, MTEGs, a signal processing unit, and a signal transmission unit is constructed. The system incorporates a multi-directional ice-cover growth signal processing unit, which can concurrently collect and process signals from six HP-TENG channels. The experimental results indicate that the HP-TENGs can accurately sense the ice thickness in the range of 10 mm–20 mm, achieving a maximum error of only 2.14%. It effectively monitors ice growth rates between 0.02 mm s⁻¹ and 1 mm s⁻¹, with a maximum error of 3.65%. The MTEG unit demonstrates a maximum output voltage of 1.15 V and a maximum current of 180 mA. Furthermore, the multi-directional ice-cover growth signal processing unit processes the output signals from the HP-TENG and wirelessly transmits them to the microcontroller (MCU).