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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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