Spring 2012Devon Taylor

Home Energy Management & Smart Grid Technology

Smart Grid Technology in the HomeSmart meteringFault detectionIncreased energy quality and efficiency

High load appliances such as water heaters can be turned off by the power company during peak load

Data is transmitted over power lines using BPL(Broadband over Power Line)

ObjectivesImplement a small scale home electrical

systemUse current transformers to sense current Use mechanical relays to switch lines on/offCollect data from the current transformers

using a microcontrollerSwitch lines on/off using microcontroller

and relay circuits

Objectives (Continued)Program the microcontroller to perform A-D

conversion and exchange data with the PCDevelop a web interface

Provide power consumption dataAllow switching control over each individual

relayNetwork the PC to the LAN/Internet

Overall Design

240 Volt Wall Receptacle(Simulates power lines coming into house)

Breaker Box

120 Volt Receptacles/Appliances

240 Volt Appliance (e.g. Water Heater)

DPDT Relay (Normally Closed)

Current Transformer

Power Transistor Circuit Board

Microcontroller board

Low voltage signal line

High Voltage line

SPDT Relay

Serial Communication

Server

BPL Modem

Not implemented

Time Table - MilestonesTask Estimated Time

Consumption

Order/purchase required components

1 – 2 Weeks

Design and implement home electrical system with current transformers and relays

2 Weeks

Wire inputs/outputs to microcontroller and PC

1 Week

Program microcontroller to collect data/control relays and program PC to receive data/transmit control signal to microcontroller

2 Weeks

Develop web interface with Apache/MySQL to display data and provide control

3 Weeks

Network PC using BPL 1 – 2 Weeks

Total Time 9 – 10 Weeks

Project DeliverablesDrawings of home electrical circuits/sensorsDocumentation of microcontroller programDocumentation of PC->microcontroller

communications program/web interfaceDemonstration of how the system is used

Project BudgetItem Estimated CostBreaker box & Breakers(Used/New) $50 - $100

25’ 10 AWG Romex $18

120 Volt Receptacles $10-$20

OSB/Wall Board for mounting $5

240 Volt Power Plug/Cable $20-$50 (Depends on amp rating)

SPDT Relays $40-$60

Din Rail (mounting for Relays) $5

Current Transformers $100-$200

Power Transistors/Misc. Electronic Components/Wire/Boards

$10-$20

Microcontroller $40-$60

PC Free - $100

Serial cable Free

Software Free

Total $300 - $500

Applicability and UsefulnessHelp to provide more reliable and efficient

energyLessen power company expenses with

smart meteringRaise awareness to electricity users as to

how they are using energy