A New Design of IoT-Based Network Architecture for Monitoring and Controlling Power Consumption in Distribution Grids

Abstract

Nowadays, the electric power sector is accomplishing many essential improvements on power networks to respond to power supply reliability and energy consumption demand as well as to exploit effectively distributed generators integrated into the networks. The smart grid, a new modern solution for future power networks, uses digital technologies and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions to intelligently respond and adapt to changes in the power networks. This paper develops a new design of IoT-based network architecture applied for measuring, monitoring, and controlling substations on low-voltage distribution networks. In this proposed system, transmitting and receiving measurement data from the substations is based on the IoT platform via the LoRaWAN and WiFi communication technologies. This aims to increase the reliability and accuracy of the communication system. Once access permissions for the system are established, network operators and managers can easily monitor all electrical measurement parameters and control circuit breakers at the substations using smartphones or personal computers. The obtained experimental results in this paper show that the proposed system is a low-cost and feasible design for applying to future power networks.

Review of Cloud-Based Smart Energy Meters

“…This module helps measure and calculate voltage, current, power factor, active power, and energy quantities. In the investigated studies, the ACS712 current sensor and a ZMPT101B voltage sensor were used in the studies [16]- [28]; the PZEM004T module used in the studies [29]- [32]; SCT-013 current transformer (CT) and AC/AC step-down transformer and voltage divider used in the research [33].…”

“…Arduino Uno is used in projects [16]- [19], [23], [27], [31], [33]- [35], and Arduino Mega used in projects [25] and [26] are microcontrollers of the classic family and belong to the group of technical solutions i) which means that communication modules are not integrated. Despite using the same solution i) as above, the article [32] uses a Raspberry Pi microcontroller while the article [36] uses the ARM7 microcontroller, which is a product of Arm Holdings Ltd. ESP8266, developed by Express if Systems, is a microcontroller with an integrated WiFi module and is widely used in IoT projects [37]. ESP32 is an upgraded version of ESP8266 with more features and processing speed [38].…”

Design and fabrication of an IoT-based smart electrical meter for residential energy management

“…This module helps to measure and calculate quantities of voltage, current, power factor, active power and energy. In the investigated studies, the ACS712 current sensor and a ZMPT101B voltage sensor were used in the studies [12]-[24]; the PZEM004T module used in the studies [25]- [28]; SCT-013 current transformer (CT) and AC/AC step-down transformer and voltage divider used in the research [29]. In order for the device works properly and fully perform its designed functions, a central processor is required.…”

“…Arduino Uno is used in projects [12]- [15], [19], [23], [27], [29]- [31] and Arduino Mega used in projects [21] and [22] are microcontrollers of the classic family and belong to the group of technical solutions i) which means that communication modules are not integrated into. Despite using the same solution i) as above, the article [28] uses a Raspberry Pi microcontroller while the article [32] uses the ARM7 microcontroller which is a product of Arm Holdings Ltd. ESP8266, developed by Espressif Systems, is a microcontroller with an integrated WiFi module and is widely used in IoT projects [33]. ESP32 is an upgraded version of ESP8266 with more features and processing speed [34].…”

“…Regarding communication technology, there are different communication methods such as WiFi, LoRaWAN, Zigbee, and GSM [35]. As mentioned in the literature review, most smart metering systems use WiFi communication networks, [12]- [18], [20], [22]- [27], [29] while only few systems use LoraWan [19], [28], Zigbee [21], [32], or GSM [30], [31]. Communication over WiFi is realized in short range and suitable for household applications while the remaining methods are suitable for projects that need longer signal transmission distances.…”