Smart Grid in the Home Senior Project Proposal Members: Amit Jain & Patrick O’Boyle Advisor: Professor Allen D. Drake

Power Monitoring Utility Why? Power consumption is a huge issue Not easy to detect how much power is consumed in households without an existing infrastructure If a device is left on while the user is gone, there is no way to detect and rectify the situation An easy to visualize application with the ability to control outlet state would solve these issues

Existing Devices Kill A Watt Commercial applications also available Displays power consumption in a easy to view format with screen built in Bulky Takes up a whole outlet Devices don’t communicate with each other Can’t control power state Commercial applications also available Allegro – Smart Meter

The Solution A device that contains a current sensor, wireless module, and relay Control the power Gather consumption data Communicate with each other Interfaces with server to display data User friendly graphs Ability to toggle power on the ports

Models Overlay unit Enclosed Easy to install Plugs over existing wall outlets Might be a little bulky Enclosed Seamless integration Flush with wall Difficult installation Not as easy to fix issues

Device Types Base Unit Slave Unit Connects to internet source via Ethernet Contains 2.4 GHz wireless module to communicate with mesh network of devices Slave Unit To extend range, more units may be added

Current Sensor Module Hall effect current sensor Minimal interference with source Measures Lorenz forces due to magnetic field Various current rating are available Some output an analog value corresponding to current Limited resolution with greater rating Precautions must be made not to exceed rating

Wireless Module 2.4 GHz wireless module (NRF24L01+) 100m Range at 250kbps Auto Acknowledge Auto Re-Transmit 125 Selectable Channels Mesh network topology will allow for easy integration of additional units

Mesh Network Topology Easiest for scalability If one unit goes down, the others can still communicate No need for a specific configuration

Relay Unit Mechanical relay units Solid state relay Moving parts Allows for the connection to be completely disconnected Reverse current spikes could damage device that is connected to it Solid state relay Many contain opto-isolator Leakage when off Silent operation

Microcontroller Arduino UNO Amit is an Arduino distributor Open source hardware development platform ADC to read sensor values Digital I/O pins Built in serial communication SPI functionality Low cost Easy to use Amit is an Arduino distributor

Server mySQL database Apache Server High Charts Open source Bountiful documentation Linux compatible Apache Server Used to server webpage High Charts Open source graphing package

Timeline September – October 2012 November – December 2012 Gather information and research November – December 2012 Order parts to start rudimentary tests January – February 2012 Order more components for slave units March – May 2013 Finish sever configuration & finalize device to present at URC