Energy-autonomous battery-free system fro smart irrigation

A smart irrigation system comprising:

• a fluid inlet;
• a first fluid path coupled to the fluid inlet and having a first valve for controlling fluid flow;
• a second fluid path coupled to the fluid inlet and having a second valve for controlling fluid flow;
• a power harvester coupled to the second fluid path, wherein fluid flow through the second fluid path causes the power harvester to generate electrical energy;
• an energy storage device for storing the generated electrical energy;
• a sensor for measuring the energy stored in the energy storage device;
• and
• a controller operatively coupled to the sensor, the first valve, and the second valve;
• wherein the controller is configured to:
• determine if the stored energy is below a threshold;
• open the second valve to allow fluid flow through the second fluid path and activate the power harvester when the stored energy is below the threshold;
• close the second valve when the stored energy reaches or exceeds the threshold;
• and
• control the first valve independently of the electrical energy generation to regulate irrigation.