Intelligent Home Energy Management System - Electronic Engineering Guide
1. Introduction
An Intelligent Home Energy Management System (IHEMS) monitors and optimizes power usage within a household. It allows remote control of appliances, real-time energy tracking, and automated decisions based on consumption patterns, contributing to energy conservation.
2. Objectives
• To monitor energy consumption of individual appliances.
• To control devices based on user preferences or schedules.
• To provide real-time data visualization and energy reports.
• To reduce energy wastage and improve efficiency.
3. Components Required
• ESP32 / NodeMCU microcontroller
• Current sensors (e.g., ACS712, SCT-013 CT sensor)
• Relay modules (for controlling appliances)
• Wi-Fi Router (for network connectivity)
• Smart plugs (optional)
• LCD / OLED Display (optional)
• Power supply (5V DC)
• Resistors, capacitors, breadboard, jumper wires
4. System Overview
The IHEMS monitors current drawn by household appliances using sensors. This data is processed by a microcontroller and sent to an IoT dashboard. Based on energy usage, the system can suggest or automate device shutdowns or power cycling to save energy.
5. Load Monitoring and Control
• Each major appliance is connected to a current sensor
and/or smart plug.
• A relay module enables ON/OFF control.
• Real-time data helps determine energy hogs and automate operations.
• Load limits or schedules can trigger automated control actions.
6. Microcontroller and Sensor Integration
• Use ESP32/NodeMCU for built-in Wi-Fi.
• Current sensors are connected to analog pins.
• Relays are connected to digital output pins.
• The firmware handles sensor data processing and relay control.
7. Communication and User Interface
• Wi-Fi communication is used to connect to IoT platforms
(e.g., Blynk, ThingsBoard).
• Users can monitor and control devices via a smartphone app or web dashboard.
• MQTT or HTTP protocol is used for real-time communication.
• Voice control can be added using Google Assistant or Alexa integrations.
8. Circuit Design and Working
• Connect ACS712 current sensor to an analog input.
• Relay module connects to GPIO pins.
• Use opto-isolators for safety in relay circuits.
• Power microcontroller with 5V regulated supply.
• Monitor sensor outputs and control relays based on thresholds.
9. Software and Code Explanation
Arduino Example Code Snippet:
#define RELAY 5
#define CURRENT_SENSOR A0
void setup() {
pinMode(RELAY, OUTPUT);
Serial.begin(9600);
}
void loop() {
int sensorValue =
analogRead(CURRENT_SENSOR);
float current = (sensorValue * 5.0 /
1024.0 - 2.5) / 0.185;
Serial.print("Current: ");
Serial.println(current);
if(current > 2.0)
digitalWrite(RELAY, LOW);
else digitalWrite(RELAY, HIGH);
delay(1000);
}
10. Applications
• Smart homes
• Office and building automation
• Load shedding systems
• Renewable energy management
11. Challenges and Enhancements
• Need for accurate sensor calibration.
• Wi-Fi dependency for cloud functions.
• Expandability to support more devices.
• Integration with machine learning for predictive control.
12. Conclusion
The Intelligent Home Energy Management System offers a practical solution to reduce energy consumption through monitoring and automated control. It supports smart homes, provides valuable data analytics, and enables sustainable living.