Internet of Energy Training through Remote Laboratory Demonstrator

Abstract

In this paper, a new learning tool is proposed to train professional figures, such as entrepreneurs, engineers, and technicians, who need to improve their skills in the field of Internet of Energy. The proposed tool aims to cover the lack of experimental knowledge on new energy systems and to layer proper skills, which are useful to deal with challenges required by smart energy management in the new complex distributed configuration of the electric power systems, characterized by demand response services. This tool is based on a small-scale laboratory demonstrator, representative of a smart rural house, equipped with a measurement and control system. This demonstrator can be remotely accessed, through web server applications based on a low cost single-board computer. Trainers can have direct experience on the main concepts related to smart grids, renewable energy sources, electrochemical storage systems, and electric vehicles, through the use of the proposed tool managed by the web software interface.

The Illuminator: An Open Source Energy System Integration Development Kit

“…On the other end of the spectrum are the tools developed with the primary purpose of education. Reference [8] provides a learning tool in the field of the Internet of Energy through web server applications based on a low-cost single-board computer. Reference [9] and [10] provides educational setup methods for power electronics.…”

A Fully Open Source Remote Laboratory for Practical Learning

“…Another open source project is presented in [14] where a solar tracking system using Raspberry Pi and open source hardware cards are used to obtain a low cost remote system. The same solutions are used in a remote smart grid demonstrator [15]. In the other way, solution spreading to collaborators is common.…”

“…Proprietary software is expensive and there is a problem of interoperability with infrastructures or devices. The open source SCADA platform, Thinger.IO, designed for Internet of Things (IoT), is implemented in [15,18]; however, this solution is not entirely free, even if the cost is acceptable. In fact, low or medium size industries face the same issues than engineering education centers: for example, ref.…”