Internet of Things based Demand Side Energy Management System using Non-Intrusive Load Monitoring

Abstract

Demand Side Energy Management Programs have mainly focused upon Demand Response Methods in which consumer is given incentive to reduce their consumption based on Dynamic Pricing Signals. In such a scenario the user is subjected to high pricing at certain times of Peak Load conditions. Prepaid Meters are being implemented to reduce distribution losses and energy theft. To complement such techniques the user must be given enough feedback of how he/she is consuming power by appliance level breakdown of energy usage. This research paper introduces such a system in which the user can both monitor and control his loads through a single platform. The system uses concepts of Internet of Things (IoT) and Cloud Database to make the Demand Side Energy Management platform intuitive and user friendly. Non Intrusive Load Management (NILM) is used for Load Dis-aggregation rather than employing sensors on each Power Socket Outlet. The Data of the Disaggregated Loads is stored on the Google Firebase Realtime Database to allow for ease of access from a Smart Phone or the Web. Also the users have the feature of Load Control from the same platform, completing the loop for enabling of Load Energy Management.