Real-Time Pricing
Real-time pricing, also known as dynamic pricing, is a utility rate
structure in which the per-kWh charge varies each hour based on
the utility's real-time production costs. Because peaking plants are
more expensive to run than baseload plants, retail electricity rates
are higher during peak times than during shoulder and off-peak
times under real-time pricing. When used in conjunction with net
metering, customers receive higher peak rates when selling power
into the grid at peak times. At off-peak times the customer is likely
purchasing power from the grid, but at the lower off-peak
rate. Photovoltaic power is often a good candidate for real-time
pricing, especially if maximum solar radiation occurs at peak-
demand times of day when power purchase prices are higher. Real-
time metering equipment is necessary, which adds complexity and
expense to metering hardware and administration.

Time-of-use (TOU) pricing and real time pricing (RTP) programs are designed to lower
system costs for utilities and bring down customer bills by raising prices during expensive
hours and lowering them during inexpensive hours. They differ in, that the former fixes the
price and time periods in advance while the latter fixes neither the price nor the time period
in advance. Thus, TOU rates can be considered static while RTP rates can be considered
dynamic, even though before feature time-varying prices

If your electric utility offers real-time pricing, they will likely be able to provide
you with hourly pricing in more than one way. Perhaps they will provide the data
online or by text message, email, or phone. But to take advantage of real-time
programs, you must monitor prices and be flexible in the ways you choose to use
electricity. Typically, the appliances that use the most electric energy are
dishwashers, air conditioners, electric clothes dryers, and space heaters. There are
also "smart appliances" available that can receive electric pricing information
through the smart meter and delay their operation until the price drops off based on
your instructions.
Real time pricing requires the installation of a smart electricity meter that can send
and receive information about electricity usage and electricity costs and give
consumer more information about their own usage.

Real Time pricing:

The benefits of real time pricing can be maximised by considering four main criteria:

 Duration for which energy consumption pricing varies

  Ability to buy energy during low energy prices
 Ability to control appliances according to energy price at a given time.
 A smart meter that measures the total usage and time of usage of energy

The occurrence of price variation can be determined by the load curve. The load curve
shows the load variation on the generating station with respect to time. The load curve can
be used to determine the maximum demand. Electricity prices will be greatest when there is
high demand on the grid. This allows customers to limit their energy usage during the
periods of maximum demand and shift their electricity consumption to the hours of less
demand and thereby lower prices. This process of controlling the electric energy usage
during the hours of high demand in order to reduce the billing amount is called demand side
management to achieve peak shaving.

Smart meters

Smart meters are important devices to ensure the effective implementation of real
time pricing

. Smart Meters are the electronic measurement device used by energy companies to
record the consumption of electricity and communicate information to their billing
department and to customers. The combination of the electronics meters with two
way communications technology for information, monitoring and control is commonly
known as Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). Smart Meters allow the
customers to track their own energy use on the Internet or with third party computer
programs.

The data in the smart meters is collected locally and transmitted via Local Area
Network (LAN) to the collector. The collector retrieves, processes and transmits the
data via Wide Area Network (WAN) to the utility central collection point for
processing. Smart meters are categorized according to LAN technology i.e. Radio
Frequency (RF) and Power Line Carrier (PLC). The smart meter technologies are
selected according to evaluation of existing infrastructure, impact on legacy
equipment, functionality, technical requirements as well has the economic impact to
the utility’s customers.

Radio Frequency (RF): The measurement and data from the smart meter are
transmitted by wireless radio signals form the meter to the collection point. The data
from the collection point is delivered by various methods to the utility data systems
for processing at the utility central location. RF technologies are usually two types:

 Mesh Technology: The smart meter interacts with each other to form a LAN
cloud to a collector. The collector transmits the data using various WAN
methods to the utility central location. This technology includes acceptable
latency and large bandwidth. The main disadvantage of this technology
includes terrain and distance challenges for rural areas, proprietary
communications and multiple collection points.
  Point to Point Technology: In this technology, smart meters interact with the
collectors directly using a tower. The tower collector transmits the data using
various methods to the utility central location for processing. This technology
has several advantages such as little or no latency, direct communication with
each end point, large bandwidth and can cover large distances. This
technology has also been proven to be challenging in rural areas as it can be
difficult to provide line of sight for radio frequency signals.

Power Line Carrier (PLC): The measurement and data from the smart meter can be
transmitted across the utility power lines from the meter to a collection point which is
usually located in the distribution substation feeding the meter. In some situations,
collection points are located on the secondary side of distribution transformer. The
data is then delivered to the utility data systems for processing at the utility central
location for billing, outage management and other operational purposes. The main
advantages of this technology are leveraging the use of existing utility infrastructure
of poles and wires, improved cost effectiveness, more effective in non-ideal terrain
and ability to work over long distances. This technology has a few disadvantages
such as more latency, less bandwidth and higher cost in urban and suburban
locations.

Advantages of Smart Meters:

Smart Meters extend its benefits to the customers and the utilities.

Benefits for the customers:

 Customers have access to historical and real time data on Energy costs and
potentially Carbon Emission data.
 The energy consumption data be displayed on the appliance
 Demand response techniques can be implemented by adding multi tariff
functions.
 Electrical appliances can be controlled automatically.
 Customers can reduce the cost by shifting energy consumption to cheaper off
peak tariff periods.
 More accurate and timely billing
 Improved outage restoration.

Benefits for utilities:

 Utilities have access to quality data and influence the energy consumption of
the users.
 It helps the utilities to develop more competitive energy market.
 Utilities can monitor the energy generation from renewable sources more
efficiently.
 Utilities can support demand response techniques.
  It helps utilities it manage the grid efficiently.
 It creates better communication channel between utilities and customer.
 Improved load forecasting.
 It helps the utilities to develop better Power Procurement process.
 Improved Power Quality.
 Early detection of meter tampering and theft.

challenges:

The real challenge lies in implementing the real time pricing and rolling out smart
meters.

 Some sections of society are unaware of the benefits of the smart meters and
believe that a competitive market as a result of real time pricing will increase
the electricity costs.
 Some consumers have concern about their usage data being shared with the
utility companies.
 Utilities have to upgrade their infrastructure and improve their institutional
framework to extend the benefits of smart meters and real time pricing to the
customers.
 Lack of interaction between consumers and utilities
 Lack of standardisation hinders the process of creating a competitive energy
market.
 Security of smart meters can be compromised.

Conclusion:

In order to deploy smart meters efficiently, governments needs to make changes in

the rules and regulations.

 Governments and utilities should put more emphasis on educating customers

to use the smart meters to reduce the energy consumption and utilize the real
time pricing to reduce their bills.
 Governments should team up with the utilities to implement the process for
monitoring the changes in energy consumption and peak demand.
 Utilities should measure and track network benefits to be able to pass it on to
the customers.
 Utilities and governments should develop a strong customer relationship in
order to help customers in making an informed decision to realize the
potential benefit of more competitive and flexible energy market.
 Government and utilities should develop ways to educate the vulnerable
sectors of the society to minimize the risk of any disadvantages.
 Utility companies should take strict measures to protect the customer’s usage
data

AMR
Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) is the technology used for automatic collection of consumption,
diagnostic and status data from water meter or energy metering devices and transferring the same to a
central database for billing, troubleshooting and analyzing. Utthunga provides solution to power
distribution companies who are facing challenges with collection of data from the HT meters. Manual
processes involved high cost of labor and frequent errors. There were additional challenges related to
missing current data from remote locations.

Benefits

 Increased the role of utility

 The solution enables to get instant alerts in case of energy meter tampering
 Reduction in manual labor and subsequent cost
 Automation of billing system
 Elimination of losses due to manual error
 Automatic meter reading (AMR) is the technology of automatically collecting
consumption, diagnostic, and status data from water meter or energy metering devices
(gas, electric) and transferring that data to a central database for billing, troubleshooting,
and analyzing.
 This technology mainly saves utility providers the expense of periodic trips to each
physical location to read a meter. Another advantage is that billing can be based on near
real-time consumption rather than on estimates based on past or predicted consumption.
This timely information coupled with analysis can help both utility providers and
customers better control the use and production of electric energy, gas usage, or water
consumption.
 AMR technologies include handheld, mobile and network technologies based on
telephony platforms (wired and wireless), radio frequency (RF), or powerline
transmission.
 Radio frequency based AMR can take many forms. The more common ones are
handheld, mobile, satellite and fixed network solutions. There are both two-way RF
systems and one-way RF systems in use that use both licensed and unlicensed RF
bands.
 In a two-way or "wake up" system, a radio signal is normally sent to an AMR meter's
unique serial number, instructing its transceiver to power-up and transmit its data. The
meter transceiver and the reading transceiver both send and receive radio signals.

 In a one-way “bubble-up” or continuous broadcast type system, the meter transmits

continuously and data is sent every few seconds. This means the reading device can be
a receiver only, and the meter a transmitter only. Data travels only from the meter
transmitter to the reading receiver. There are also hybrid systems that combine one-way
and two-way techniques, using one-way communication for reading and two-way
communication for programming functions.

 RF-based meter reading usually eliminates the need for the meter reader to enter the
property or home, or to locate and open an underground meter pit. The utility saves
money by increased speed of reading, has less liability from entering private property,
and has fewer missed readings from being unable to access the meter.


 The technology based on RF is not readily accepted everywhere. In several Asian
countries, the technology faces a barrier of regulations in place pertaining to use of the
radio frequency of any radiated power. For example, in India the radio frequency which is
generally in ISM band is not free to use even for low power radio of 10 mW. The majority
of manufacturers of electricity meters have radio frequency devices in the frequency
band of 433/868 MHz for large scale deployment in European countries. The frequency
band of 2.4 GHz can be now used in India for outdoor as well as indoor applications, but
few manufacturers have shown products within this frequency band. Initiatives in radio
 frequency AMR in such countries are being taken up with regulators wherever the cost of
licensing outweighs the benefits of AMR.

 Handheld[edit]
 In handheld AMR, a meter reader carries a handheld computer with a built-in or attached
receiver/transceiver (radio frequency or touch) to collect meter readings from an AMR
capable meter. This is sometimes referred to as "walk-by" meter reading since the meter
reader walks by the locations where meters are installed as they go through their meter
reading route. Handheld computers may also be used to manually enter readings without
the use of AMR technology as an alternate but this will not support exhaustive data which
can be accurately read using the meter reading electronically.

 Mobile[edit]
 Mobile or "drive-by" meter reading is where a reading device is installed in a vehicle. The
meter reader drives the vehicle while the reading device automatically collects the meter
readings. Often, for mobile meter reading, the reading equipment includes navigational
and mapping features provided by GPS and mapping software. With mobile meter
reading, the reader does not normally have to read the meters in any particular route
order, but just drives the service area until all meters are read. Components often consist
of a laptop or proprietary computer, software, RF receiver/transceiver, and external
vehicle antennas.

 Satellite[edit]
 Transmitters for data collection satellites can be installed in the field next to existing
meters. The satellite AMR devices communicates with the meter for readings, and then
sends those readings over a fixed or mobile satellite network. This network requires a
clear view to the sky for the satellite transmitter/receiver, but eliminates the need to install
fixed towers or send out field technicians, thereby being particularly suited for areas with
low geographic meter density.

A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is a hybrid electric vehicle whose battery pack can be

recharged by plugging a charging cable into an external electric power source, in addition to
internally by its on-board internal combustion engine-powered generator. Most PHEVs
are passenger cars, but there are also PHEV versions of commercial vehicles and vans, utility
trucks, buses, trains, motorcycles, mopeds, and even military vehicles.

Charging systems[edit]
The battery charger can be on-board or external to the vehicle. The process for an on-board
charger is best explained as AC power being converted into DC power, resulting in the battery
being charged.[9] On-board chargers are limited in capacity by their weight and size, and by the
limited capacity of general-purpose AC outlets. Dedicated off-board chargers can be as large and
powerful as the user can afford, but require returning to the charger; high-speed chargers may be
shared by multiple vehicles.
Using the electric motor's inverter allows the motor windings to act as the transformer coils, and
the existing high-power inverter as the AC-to-DC charger. As these components are already
required on the car, and are designed to handle any practical power capability, they can be used
to create a very powerful form of on-board charger with no significant additional weight or
size. AC Propulsion uses this charging method, referred to as "reductive charging".[104]
Modes of operation[edit]
A plug-in hybrid operates in charge-depleting and charge-sustaining modes. Combinations of
these two modes are termed blended mode or mixed-mode. These vehicles can be designed to
drive for an extended range in all-electric mode, either at low speeds only or at all speeds. These
modes manage the vehicle's battery discharge strategy, and their use has a direct effect on the
size and type of battery required:[105]
Charge-depleting mode allows a fully charged PHEV to operate exclusively (or depending on
the vehicle, almost exclusively, except during hard acceleration) on electric power until its battery
state of charge is depleted to a predetermined level, at which time the vehicle's internal
combustion engine or fuel cell will be engaged. This period is the vehicle's all-electric range. This
is the only mode that a battery electric vehicle can operate in, hence their limited range.[106]
Mixed mode describes a trip using a combination of multiple modes. For example, a car may
begin a trip in low speed charge-depleting mode, then enter onto a freeway and operate in
blended mode. The driver might exit the freeway and drive without the internal combustion
engine until all-electric range is exhausted. The vehicle can revert to a charge sustaining-mode
until the final destination is reached. This contrasts with a charge-depleting trip which would be
driven within the limits of a PHEV's all-electric range.

A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is a type of hybrid electric vehicle

that combines a gasoline or diesel engine with an electric motor and a large
battery that can be recharged by plugging into an electrical outlet or electric
vehicle charging station. Conventional hybrid automobiles have an electric
motor and battery, but derive all their power from gasoline or diesel.

Plug-in hybrids typically can run in at least two modes: "all-electric," in

which the motor and battery provide all the car's energy; and "hybrid," in
which both electricity and gasoline are employed. Some PHEVs can travel
more than 70 miles on electricity alone.

Plug-in hybrids provide the fuel- and cost-efficiency of hybrid models along
with the all-electric capabilities of battery-electric or fuel-cell vehicles. Some
PHEVs can travel more than 70 miles on electricity alone and under typical
driving conditions, store enough electricity to cut their gasoline use. PHEVs
use approximately 30 to 60 percent less gasoline than conventional
vehicles, potentially saving the owner hundreds of dollars a year, according
to the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE).

How PHEVs Work

In addition to plugging into an outside electric power source, PHEV
batteries can be charged by an internal combustion engine or regenerative
braking. (During braking, the electric motor acts as a generator, using the
energy to charge the battery.) The electric motor supplements the engine's
power; as a result, smaller engines can be used, increasing the car's fuel
efficiency without compromising performance.

PHEVs typically start up in all-electric mode and operate on electricity until

their battery pack is depleted. Some models shift to hybrid mode when they
reach highway cruising speed, generally above 60 or 70 miles per
hour. Once the battery is empty, the engine takes over and the vehicle
operates as a conventional, non-plug-in hybrid.

There are two basic plug-in hybrid configurations, according to the DoE:

In series plug-in hybrids, or extended-range electric vehicles, only the

electric motor turns the wheels and the gasoline engine generates
electricity. Series plug-ins can run on electricity alone until the battery runs
down. The gasoline engine then generates electricity to power the electric
motor. These vehicles might use no gasoline at all for short trips.

In parallel, or blended plug-in hybrids, both the engine and electric motor
are connected to the wheels and propel the vehicle under most driving
conditions. The electric-only operation usually occurs only at low speeds.

PHEV Costs and Benefits

Although the electric motor and battery help plug-in hybrids use less fuel
and produce less pollution than conventional cars, even when in hybrid
mode, fuel consumption depends on the distance driven between battery
charges. If the vehicle is never plugged in to charge, fuel economy will be
about the same as a similarly sized hybrid electric vehicle. If the vehicle is
driven a shorter distance than its all-electric range and plugged in to charge
between trips, it may use only electric power.
Plug-in hybrids have a significantly lower carbon footprint than their gas-
only counterparts for two reasons: PHEVs can run on electricity from the
power grid, and electricity is typically cleaner than gasoline or diesel fuel.
Plug-in hybrids don't emit tailpipe pollution when driving on electricity; plus,
having an electric motor and battery is fuel-efficient.

Although plug-in hybrids typically emit less greenhouse gas than

conventional vehicles, the amount generated depends partly on how the
electricity is produced. For example, nuclear and hydroelectric plants are
cleaner than coal-fired power plants, according to the DoE.

Additionally, although using electricity is usually cheaper than using

gasoline, fuel savings may not always offset the higher PHEV cost
(approximately $4,000 to $8,000), according to the DoE. Fuel savings
depend on the vehicle, how many miles it operates using electricity and fuel
costs. Plug-in hybrid cars purchased in 2010 or later may be eligible for
federal tax credits of up to $7,500; state and local incentives may also
apply.

Re-charging a PHEV is time-consuming – several hours using a 120-volt

outlet and 1 to 4 hours using a 240-volt charger. A "fast charge" to 80
percent capacity may take as little as 30 minutes, according to the DoE.

Types of PHEVs
Further, there are two types of plug-in hybrid configurations.

 Series plug-in hybrid: In this type of configuration, only the electric powertrain propels
the vehicle. The vehicle runs on all-electric mode until the battery charge depletes.
Once the battery loses its charge, the engine powers the electric motor. The series
plug-in hybrid may not use conventional fuel at low speeds and short commutes.

 Parallel plug-in hybrid: In this type of setup, both the electric powertrain and the
conventional engine propel the vehicle in almost all driving conditions. Generally, the
vehicle can operate in all-electric mode only at slow speeds.

Key components of PHEV

Below are the key components of a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle.

 Electric motor: An electric motor is a crucial component of the electric powertrain. It

propels the vehicle in pure-electric mode or works in tandem with the IC engine.
 Depending on the PHEV type, the electric motor draws power from the battery pack or
IC engine.

 IC engine: The conventional engine propels the vehicle when the battery runs out of
charge. The IC engine may also power the electric motor or charge the battery pack in
some vehicles.

 Battery pack: There are mainly two types of batteries in a PHEV. The primary battery
pack is the traction battery that powers the electric motor, and the secondary or
auxiliary battery powers other electrical components of the car. The traction battery can
juice up by connecting it to an external power source.

 Onboard charger: Since the battery needs to be charged, the onboard charger plays a
crucial role. It converts the AC (Alternative Current) electricity to DC (Direct Current)
electricity to charge the battery pack. It also monitors various parameters such as
battery voltage, temperature, charging status, etc.

 Generator: It generates electricity with the help of an IC engine. Some electric motors
also act as a generator as they convert kinetic energy (energy loss while slowing down
the vehicle) into electrical energy. The electrical power is utilised to charge the battery.

 Transmission: Without a gearbox, the electrical energy and IC engine are of no use;

because it is responsible for the transmission of power from the engine/electric motor.
A PHEV uses a conventional transmission like any other petrol/diesel car.

 Charging port: It allows the battery pack to connect to an external power source via a
cable. The charging cable connects to the charging port and a power source such as
the standard household socket or a dedicated charging station.

 Fuel tank: It holds the fuel for the Internal Combustion engine. When the battery runs
out of juice, the IC engine takes over, and the engine can only run if there’s fuel.
Hence, it’s also a crucial component of a plug-in hybrid car.

PHEV: Pros and cons

You already know what a PHEV is and how it works.  Now, let’s look at the advantages and
disadvantages of plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Advantages of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Below are some of the pros of PHEVs.

 PHEVs produce zero emissions when running on pure electric mode.

 They produce fewer carbon emissions compared to conventional petrol/diesel cars.

 The plug-in hybrid cars are fuel-efficient at slow speeds, with the electric powertrain
assisting the engine.

 The running cost is low if you drive for short distances.

 No range anxiety as you can rely on the IC engine for longer journeys.

Disadvantages of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Here are some of the cons of plug-in hybrid electric cars.
  PHEVs are expensive compared to their conventional and standard hybrid
counterparts.

 The fuel efficiency may more or less be the same as a conventional vehicle during long
highway journeys.

 The pure electric performance may take a hit with the deteriorating battery life.

 The battery charging takes a few hours, depending on the type of charger.

 The repair costs of the electric powertrain may run high.

How to charge a plug-in hybrid car?

PHEV charging is similar to charging an electric vehicle. You need to connect the charging
cable to a power source and plug in the connector to the onboard charging connector. If you
charge your plug-in hybrid car via a standard home power outlet, you can follow the steps
below.

 Step 1: Connect the charging cable to a power outlet. Typically a 3-pin plug slots into
the household power socket.

 Step 2: Locate the charging port in your vehicle and ensure that it is accessible.

 Step 3: Connect the connector plug to the charging port.

That’s it; your PHEV will start charging.

If you have set up a home charging station, all you need to do is slot the charging connector
into the charging port on the vehicle, and the battery will start charging.

Lastly, you can also charge your PHEV at a public charging station. However, ensure that the
charging plug or the connector is compatible with your vehicle. You can drive your car to a
public charging station, connect the plug to the charging connector slot, and the battery will
start charging. Once done, you can make the payment for the consumed electricity.

Also, read: Charging an electric car at home: Time, cost, set up and more

Difference between PHEV and BEV (Battery Electric

Vehicles)
Refer to the table below to know more about PHEV vs BEV. We have compared both vehicles
based on various parameters to highlight the key differences between pure electric and plug-in
hybrid cars.

Parameters PHEVs BEVs

An electric motor and IC engine

Working
work independently or in tandem to An electric motor propels the vehicle.
principle
propel the vehicle.
 The pure electric range is limited or Since BEVs rely on pure electric power,
Electric
lesser than BEVs due to a smaller comprise larger battery packs. Hence, th
range
battery pack. electric range is greater than PHEVs.

They produce lower carbon

Emissions emissions than conventional They produce zero tailpipe emissions.
petrol/diesel cars.

Charging Since the battery packs are smaller BEVs have larger battery packs. Hence,
time in size, the charging time reduces. charging time increases.

Running cost High Low

Expensive but costs less than

Vehicle price Expensive
BEVs.

Difference between PHEV and HEV 

Refer to the table below to get a better understanding of PHEV vs HEV (Hybrid Electric
Vehicle ).

Parameters PHEVs HEVs

An electric motor and an IC engine An electric motor assists the convention

Working
propel the vehicle, wherein they can IC engine in improving fuel efficiency or
principle
operate independently or in tandem. performance.

Typically, an HEV cannot operate in pur

Electric electric mode. However, some HEVs do
Limited
range offer pure EV mode at slow speeds for
limited distances.

Emissions They produce lower carbon Lower carbon footprints compared to

 emissions compared to petrol and
conventional vehicles.
diesel cars.

They need to be plugged into an No need for charging; since the battery
Charging external power source to charge the pack gets charged within the vehicle via
battery pack. regenerative braking or a generator.

Battery pack They comprise larger battery packs. HEVs come with smaller battery packs.

Running cost Low High

Vehicle price Expensive than HEVs. Affordable than PHEVs.

Upcoming plug-in hybrid cars in India

31.3.4 Plug-in Hybrid Electrical Vehicles
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is a transitional technology
between BEVs and HEVs. The IEEE (board of directors, 2007)
defines a PHEV as “any hybrid electric vehicle that contains at least
(i) a battery storage system of 4 kWh or more, used to power the
motion of the vehicle; (ii) a means of recharging that battery system
from an external source of electricity; and (iii) an ability to drive at
least 10 mi in all-electric mode, and consume no gasoline” [15].
Conceptually, a PHEV is a HEV with large battery pack that can be
recharged from the external source (utility grid or renewable source
of energy) to extend the all-electric range (AER) of the vehicles as
shown in Fig. 31.12.
Sign in to download full-size image
Fig. 31.12. Schematic diagram of PHEVs [6].

In this vehicle, fuel tank and battery pack both can be recharged by
external sources and are entirely different from hybrid vehicles that
do not utilize any electric energy from the external sources or grid.
When the battery pack is fully charged by external source, PHEV
operates as EV with extended AER (30–60 km) and then switches
to hybrid mode when battery reaches its predefined SOC or vehicle
demands extra power for acceleration [13,14]. Moreover, not only
PHEV has the capability to charge the battery pack from the grid,
but also it will be able to supply the power to the grid, and hence,
the vehicle-to-grid (V2G) concept is evolved [15]. The emerging
technology of V2G must be bidirectional in nature so that grid can
transfer power to the vehicle in charging mode, and vehicle delivers
power to the grid in discharging mode at peak hours. All vehicles
with V2G capability must meet the IEEE Standard 1547 for
connecting to the utility.

 As its name would imply, V2G technology refers to the process of feeding
the electricity contained in an electric car’s batteries back into the electrical
grid while it is parked. This technology forms part of a smart grid, an
electrical network system that uses information technology to manage
energy consumption.
 What is the aim of V2G technology?
On a large scale, the smart grid promotes data sharing between suppliers and
consumers so as to address a major issue: energy storage. Electricity is difficult to
store in large quantities. Managing it means balancing it out in real time. Either the
electricity generated is not enough to power the network, or it is excessive and most
of the output gets wasted. V2G could play a major part in this electricity flow
adjustment endeavor.
Thanks to bi-directional charging, the V2G battery becomes an extension of the
electrical grid: storing the energy produced while demand is lower, and feeding it
back into the system when demand is higher. It’s easy to imagine the advantages of
this technology as electric vehicles become more widespread. With to Vehicle To
Grid (V2G) technology, an electric vehicle could make a significant contribution
towards an emissions-free world, drawing in large part on renewable energy
sources.

V2G, an energy storage solution

Electricity generation has gone through changes and now incorporates renewable
energy sources. As energy sources that are by nature sporadic, they make the
network unstable, which means that more energy needs to be stored. The storage
capacity made available via V2G can absorb a spike in consumption, preventing an
outage from occurring. It can also offset the disruptions inherent in energy transfer
when production switches between sources.
In the other direction, the concept of Vehicle To Grid operates on the principal of
smart charging. The battery gets charged during renewable energy production
phases, making it possible to consume mainly green energy more affordably.
Finally, V2G can be used as an alternative domestic energy source. The owner of an
electric vehicle can draw on the energy stored in the battery to supply power to their
home. Although it is still in the very early stages, as electric vehicles become more
common the advantages of this technology are obvious.

V2G: Bi-directional charging and alternating current

As the core principle of V2G technologies, bi-directional charging consists – as its
name suggests – in enabling energy flow in both directions, from supplier to user and
vice versa. Until now, electric vehicle owners have been content to charge their
vehicles’ batteries for their own use while the network carried this electricity to the
charging points. This one-way energy flow is something that Vehicle-To-Grid
technology totally redefines. Bi-directional charging is now about charging or draining
the electric vehicle battery depending on the user’s needs and the volume of
electricity available in the network. The flow goes in both directions, letting the
supplier draw on the electric car battery occasionally.

The complex nature of an upgrade such as this raises questions. Here again, it’s
about keeping it simple, since V2G works withalternating current. It only takes a
small and inexpensive alteration to existing charging stations to make them
reversible.

. THE BENEFITS OF VEHICLE-TO-

GRID 
Summary of the benefits depending on your targets:

 Reduce total cost of ownership of fleets

 Car OEMs (manufacturers) are able to sell vehicles with added value
 Energy market parties can trade and optimize their balance
 Network operators can optimize investments & stabilize the grid

 For real estate

When installing a charging device, step number one is to review the electrical system
of the building. The electrical connection can become a hindrance to the EV charging
installation project or increase costs significantly in case the connection needs to be
upgraded.
Vehicle-to-grid, as well as other smart energy management features like Dynamic
Load Management (DLM), help enable EVs to charge anywhere, regardless of the
surroundings, location, or premise. 
The benefits of V2G for buildings are visible when the electricity from car batteries is
used where it is needed the most (as described in the previous chapter). Vehicle-to-
grid helps balance out electricity demand and avoid any unnecessary costs for
building an electricity system. 
With V2G, the momentary electricity consumption spikes in the building can be
balanced with the help of electric cars and no extra energy needs to be consumed
from the grid.
 

 For the power grid

When power consumption increases, it can overload the power grid in that area. A
building’s ability to balance its electricity demand with V2G charging stations also
helps out the power grid on a larger scale. 
This will come in handy when the amount of renewable energy in the grid, produced
with wind and solar, increases. Renewable energy sources are volatile and create
challenges to areas that rely on wind and solar power.
These circumstances cause “grid congestion” or bottlenecks that can prevent
electricity from reaching its destination. Luckily, intelligently controlled EVs can offer
a solution to grid congestion and prevent the need for expensive grid
infrastructure upgrades.
Without vehicle-to-grid technology, energy has to be bought from reserve power
plants, which increases electricity prices during peak hours, since striking up these
extra power plants is a pricey procedure. 
Without control, you need to accept this given price but with V2G you are master to
optimize your costs and profits. In other words, V2G enables energy companies to
play ping pong with electricity in the grid.
 

 For consumers
Why would consumers take part in vehicle-to-grid as a demand response then? As
we explained earlier, it does no harm to them, but does it any good either?
Since vehicle-to-grid solutions are expected to become a financially beneficial
feature for energy companies, they have a clear incentive to encourage consumers
to take part. 
After all, the technology, devices, and vehicles compatible with the V2G technology
are not enough – consumers need to take part, plug in and enable their car batteries
to be used for V2G. 
We can expect that in the future on a larger scale, consumers are being rewarded if
they are willing to enable their car batteries to be used as balancing elements.
 

5. HOW WILL VEHICLE-TO-GRID

BECOME MAINSTREAM?
V2G solutions are ready to hit the market and start doing their magic. Yet,
some hurdles need to be overcome before V2G becomes the mainstream
energy management tool.
 
A. V2G technology and devices
Multiple hardware providers have developed device models compatible with vehicle-
to-grid technology. Just like any other charging devices, V2G chargers already come
in many shapes and sizes.
Usually, the maximum charging power is around 10 kW — just enough for home or
workplace charging. In the future, even wider charging solutions will apply.
Vehicle-to-grid charging devices are DC chargers, since this way the cars' own
unidirectional on-board chargers can be bypassed. There have been also projects
where a vehicle has an onboard DC charger and the vehicle can be plugged into an
AC charger. However, this is not a common solution today.
To wrap up, devices exist and are feasible, yet there's still room for improvement as
the technology matures.
 
B. V2G compatible vehicles
Currently, CHAdeMo vehicles (such as Nissan) have outpaced other car
manufacturers by bringing V2G compatible car models to the market. All Nissan
Leafs on the market can be discharged with vehicle-to-grid stations. The ability to
support V2G is a real thing for vehicles and many other manufacturers will hopefully
join the club of vehicle-to-grid compatibles soon. For instance, Mitsubishi has also
announced plans to commercialize V2G with Outlander PHEV.
 
Does V2G affect car battery life?
As a side note: Some V2G opponents claim that using vehicle-to-grid technology
makes the car batteries less long-lasting. The claim itself is a bit strange, as car
batteries are being drained daily anyways – as the car is used, the battery is
discharged so we can drive around. Many think that V2X/V2G would mean full power
charging and discharging, i.e. the battery would go from zero percent state of charge
to 100% state of charge and again to zero. This is not the case. All in all, vehicle-to-
grid discharging doesn’t affect the battery life, as it only happens for a few minutes a
day. However, EV battery lifecycle and the impact of V2G on it are studied
constantly.
Read more about V2G and battery life
2.1. Vehicle to Grid (V2G) V2G is the technology consisting of energy transfer in two directions,
either from the vehicle to the grid if the energy stored in the battery is high, or from the grid to the
vehicle when the energy stored in the battery is low [20]. The general block diagram of V2G
structure is depicted in Figure 4. Since the energy flows to the vehicle from the grid, and from the
grid to the vehicle, there occurs a bi-directional energy flow. During the energy flow, conversion
operations are made with power electronics circuits to fit the type of power [21]. For the purpose of
taking the voltage level of the current grid voltage to the appropriate level, firstly an AC/DC
conversion system is carried out, and then the reduction is done with a descending converter. To
transfer the DC energy in the battery to the grid, firstly, an additional operation is done with an
increasing converter, and then the DC/AC conversion process is carried out. These operations are
performed bi-directionally depending on the amount of energy in the battery. The purpose is to
meet the energy demand by managing the energy in the battery or the grid [22]. Energies 2019, 12,
3748 5 of 28 Figure 4. Block diagram of the V2G structure [22]. The integration of plug-in hybrid
vehicles (PHEV) with smart grids is also drawing significant attention of the scientific community
because of its potential role in enhancing grid efficiency [23,24]. Hybrid electric vehicles usually
charge their batteries through fuel, whereas electrical vehicles charge their batteries from the grid,
thus having significant differences in charging circuitry and strategy [25]. However, both are of
considerable interest in V2G technology. The EV is plugged into a charge station, which is connected
to a power converter, followed by a transformer connected to the main grid. A control and
monitoring unit is present to provide accurate input to the converter by comparing the reference
signal and the outputs of the power converter (because the converter is bidirectional, both its sides
can be considered as the output side). Given that electric vehicles are integrated into electric energy,
they are considered as an alternative energy source for the grid. Moreover, they are also used as
uninterrupted power supplies (UPS) [26]. The vehicles consisting of V2G technology are generally
charged at times when electricity production is higher, or at times when the price of electricity is low
at peak load times, selling the energy to the grid at peak load times with high prices or when there is
energy demand. In addition, this system also provides extra energy to the grid, increasing the
reliability and efficiency of the energy system [27]. The carbon emission level of V2G technology is
very low, and it also works in compliance with renewable energy sources. One of the problems
experienced by electric vehicles in transferring energy to the grid is the coordination with the grid
operators, and another problem is the bidirectional energy and communication infrastructure [28].
Several modes of communication, such as global positioning systems [29,30] and cellular networks
[31–33], are merged with the vehicles to take advantage of the vehicles in every way possible.
Different intra-vehicle and inter-vehicle communication and wired or wireless protocols are
established to analyze the viability, although they are still at their primary stage, requiring more
contribution for greater enrichment [34].
 
What is Smart Sensor :
Working & Its Applications
In instrumentation systems, sensors are very essential devices. At present,
most of the types of sensors are smart. So in these sensors, the sensing
elements & electronics are integrated on the same chip. So, the integration
of electronics and sensors to make an intelligent sensor is known as
a smart sensor. This sensor can make some decisions. These sensors have
many benefits like higher S/N ratio, fast signal conditioning, auto-
calibration, self-testing, high reliability, small physical size, detection &
prevention of failure. So, this article discusses an overview of a smart
sensor, it’s working, and its applications.

What is a Smart Sensor/Define Smart Sensors?

A smart sensor is a device that uses a transducer to gather particular data
from a physical environment to perform a predefined & programmed
function on the particular type of gathered data then it transmits the data
through a networked connection.
The features of the smart sensor are; self-identification, digital sensor data,
smart calibration & compensation, multi-sensing capacity, sensor
communication for configuration of remote & remote monitoring, etc.

Smart Sensors
Smart Sensor Working Principle
Smart sensors work by capturing data from physical environments &
changing their physical properties like speed, temperature, pressure, mass,
or presence of humans into calculable electrical signals. These sensors
include a Digital Motion Processor (DMP). Here a DMP is one type of
microprocessor that allows the sensor to perform onboard processing of
the smart sensor data like filtering noise otherwise performing different
kinds of signal conditioning.
These sensors have 4 main functions measurement, configuration,
verification & communication.

 Measurements are simply taken through detecting physical signals &

changing them into electrical signals. So this will help in monitoring and
measuring things like temperature, traffic, & industrial applications.
 Configuration function is a significant feature as it allows the smart
sensor to detect position otherwise installation errors
 The verification function has different uses like nonstop supervision of
sensor behavior, using a set of supervisory circuits or equipment
executed within the sensor.
 Lastly, the communication feature allows the sensor to converse to the
main microcontroller/ microprocessor.
Smart Sensor Block Diagram
The block diagram of the smart sensor is shown below. This block diagram
includes different blocks like sensing unit, signal conditioning, analog to
digital conversion, application algorithms, local user interface, memory, and
communication unit or transceiver.
 Sma
rt Sensor Block Diagram
Sensing Unit
This unit detects the changes in physical parameters & generates electrical
signals equivalent to it. Signal

Conditioning Unit
The signal conditioning unit controls the signal to meet the necessities of
next-level operations without losing data.

Analog to Digital Converter

ADC converts the signal from analog to digital format & sends it to the
microprocessor.
Local User Interface
The local user interface or LUI is a panel-mounted device used to allow
building operators to monitor & control system equipment.

Application Algorithm
The signals from smart sensors reach here & process the received data
based on the application programs previously loaded here & generate
output signals.

Memory
It is used to store media for saving received & processed data.

Communication Unit
The output signals from the application algorithm or microprocessor are
transmitted to the main station through the communication unit. This unit
also gets command requirements from the key station to execute specific
tasks.

Types of Smart Sensor

There are different types of smart sensor available in the market which is
explained below.

Level Sensors
A level sensor is one type of device used to monitor measure & maintain
liquid levels. Whenever the level of liquid is sensed, this sensor changes
the data into an electric signal.

Level Sensors
Level sensors are classified into two types point level & continuous level. A
point level sensor is used to specify whether a liquid has achieved an exact
point within a container whereas continuous level type sensors are used to
provide precise measurements for liquid level. These sensors are mainly
used in different industries like automotive, manufacturing, and also in
household applications.
Temperature Sensors
 Temperature sensors are used to measure temperatures like liquid
temperature, air temperature, or solid matter temperature. These sensors
are available in different types which use different principles to measure the
temperature like RTDs, NTC thermistors, thermopiles & thermocouples.
These sensors are mainly used in medical devices, computers,
automobiles, cooking appliances & other types of machinery.
 Temperature Sensor
Pressure Sensors
A pressure sensor is a transducer that changes the mechanical pressure
input into an electrical output signal. There are different types of pressure
sensors available based on capacity, size, sensing technology,
measurement method &output requirements. These sensors play a key role
in monitoring pipelines & give an alert to overseers if there are any leaks
otherwise irregularities so that they can repair or maintain pipelines.

Pressure Sensor
Infrared Sensors
An infrared sensor is an electronic device used to emit light to detect some
object in the surroundings and measures the object’s heat & detects the
motion. Generally, all the objects will emit some form of thermal radiation
within the IR spectrum which is invisible but the IR sensor can sense these
radiations.
 Infrared Sensor
IR sensor includes a transmitter like an IR LED and receiver as an IR
photodiode. For infrared transmission, three types of media are used
vacuum, atmosphere & optical fibers. These sensors are used in night
vision devices, radiation thermometers, IR tracking, IR imaging, etc.

Proximity Sensors
A smart sensor like a proximity sensor is used to notice the existence of
objects in its surrounding area without contacting them. These sensors are
frequently used in collision avoidance systems & collision warnings. This
sensor uses light, sound, IR radiation otherwise electromagnetic fields to
notice an object.

Proximity Sensor
These sensors are applicable in consumer robotics, industrial applications
and also utilized in vehicles to detect the physical contact of other vehicles
& also for parking-assist functions

Air Quality Detection Sensors

Air quality detection sensors are electronic devices that are used to detect
& monitor the air pollution within the air in the nearby area. So, these
sensors efficiently work for indoor & outdoor purposes. Air quality sensors
are capable of checking the CO2 concentrations through VOC (volatile
organic compounds) that have methane & ammonia as gases.
 Air Quality Detection Sensor
Motion Sensors
Motion sensors are electronic devices, used to detect movement inside and
surroundings of your home and give an alert. For instance, this sensor can
activate the lights once it detects you while entering into a room otherwise,
they can give an alert once an intruder is trying to enter your home. These
types of sensors are mainly used in homes, security systems, paper towel
dispensers, phones, virtual reality systems & game consoles.

Motion Sensor
Smart Plant Sensors
Plant sensors are advanced gardening sensors used to provide the data to
the user from stem surface, leaf to root probes to feed the plants. They
explain to us what nourishment and care are required for the plant.

Plant Sensor
This sensor is very simple to use by placing it into the soil of the plant pot
beside the potted plant. After that, it monitors the level of moisture, light
intensity, the temperature automatically to maintain the plant properly. The
current plant sensors give an alert through smartphones to keep checking
your plant’s condition remotely and take appropriate action.

Smart Climate Sensors

Smart climate sensors are used to gather the data of barometric pressure,
temperature & humidity that assist in evaluating the exact weather
conditions & calculate as well. These sensors will assist you in setting your
plan accordingly because these sensors are connected through your
Smartphone to send alerts throughout the frequent changes within the
weather. These sensors are essential for gardening and are connected to
smart irrigation systems.

Climate Sensor
Difference between Normal Sensor & Smart Sensor
The difference between a normal sensor and a smart sensor includes the
following.
Sensor Smart Sensor
A sensor is a device used to detect the physical changing
The part of a sensor is known as a sma
& chemical environment. used for the computer.
A sensor doesn’t include a DMP or digital motion A smart sensor includes a DMP or Dig
processor. Processor.
The normal sensor includes three components like sensor Smart sensors include different compo
element, packaging & connections, and also signals amplifiers, transducers, analog filters,
processing hardware. and compensation sensors.
The different types of normal sensors are pressure, The different types of smart sensors ar
position, temperature, vibration, force, humidity & fluid
level, humidity, pressure, proximity, te
property. flow, etc.
The output of the smart sensor is ready
Normal sensor output cannot be used directly because we  
should convert it into a usable format.
 
Normal sensors are preferred when an engineer
designing a device that requires complete control on
sensor input Smart sensors are generally preferred
because they include native processing
   

Normal sensors are not expensive because they contain Smart sensors are expensive as compa
fewer components. sensors.
   

Advantages
The advantages of the smart sensor include the following.
 These are small in size
 These sensors are very easy to use, design & maintain
 The performance level is higher
 Speed of communication & reliability is higher due to the direct
conversion with the processor.
 These sensors can perform self-calibration & self-assessments.
 These sensors can notice issues like switch failures, open coils & sensor
contamination.
 These sensors optimize manufacturing processes easily that need
changes.
 They can store many systems’ data.
Disadvantages
The disadvantages of the smart sensor include the following.
 Smart sensors’ reliability is one of the major drawbacks because if they
are stolen or get damaged then they can affect a lot of systems badly.
 It needs both sensors & actuators.
 Sensor calibration has to be managed by an external processor.
 High complexity in wired smart sensors, so the cost is also very high
Applications
The applications of the smart sensor include the following.
These sensors play a key role in monitoring different industrial processes
like data collecting, measurement taking & transmitting the data to
centralized cloud computing platforms wherever data is collected &
analyzed for different patterns. So, this collected data can be simply
monitored at any time by decision-makers.

Smart sensors are used mainly for monitoring & control mechanisms in
different environments like water level & food monitoring systems, smart
grids, traffic monitoring & control, environmental monitoring, conserving
energy in artificial lighting, monitoring of the remote system, and fault
diagnostics of equipment, transport & logistics, agriculture,
telecommunications, industrial applications, animal tracking, etc.

Thus, this is all about an overview of a smart sensor and its working, block
diagram, types, advantages, disadvantages, and applications. The most
widely used smart sensors are; AWR1243, AWR1443, AWR1642,
CC2650STK, etc. Here is a question for you, what are the different types of
sensors used in automobiles?

What is a smart sensor?

A smart sensor is a device that takes input from the physical environment and uses
built-in compute resources to perform predefined functions upon detection of
specific input and then process data before passing it on.

Smart sensors enable more accurate and automated collection of environmental

data with less erroneous noise amongst the accurately recorded information. These
devices are used for monitoring and control mechanisms in a wide variety of
environments including smart grids, battlefield reconnaissance, exploration and
many science applications.

The smart sensor is also a crucial and integral element in the internet of things
(IoT), the increasingly prevalent environment in which almost anything imaginable
can be outfitted with a unique identifier and the ability to transmit data over the
internet or a similar network. One implementation of smart sensors is as
components of a wireless sensor and actuator network (WSAN) whose nodes can
number in the thousands, each of which is connected with one or more other
sensors and sensor hubs, as well as individual actuators.

Compute resources are typically provided by low-power mobile microprocessors.

At a minimum, a smart sensor is made of a sensor, a microprocessor and
communication technology of some kind. The compute resources must be an
integral part of the physical design -- a sensor that just sends its data along for
remote processing isn't considered a smart sensor.
 A
smart sensor has three components: a sensor that captures data, a microprocessor that
computes on the output of the sensor via programming and communications capabilities.

A smart sensor might also include several other components besides the primary
sensor. These components can include transducers, amplifiers, excitation control,
analog filters and compensation. A smart sensor also incorporates software-defined
elements that provide functions such as data conversion, digital processing and
communication to external devices.

How do smart sensors work?

A smart sensor ties a raw base sensor to integrated computing resources that enable
the sensor's input to be processed.

The base sensor is the component that provides the sensing capability. It might be
designed to sense heat, light or pressure. Often, the base sensor will produce an
analog signal that must be processed before it can be used. This is where an
intelligent sensor's integrated technology comes into play. The onboard
microprocessor filters out signal noise and converts the sensor's signal into a
usable, digital format.

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Smart sensors also contain integrated communications capabilities that enable them
to be connected to a private network or to the internet. This enables
communication to external devices.

What are smart sensors used for?

There are countless use cases for smart sensors. They are very commonly used in
industrial environments and are the driving force behind Industry 4.0.

Factories often use smart temperature sensors to make sure machines aren't
overheating, and vibration sensors to make sure machines aren't at risk of vibrating
loose. Smart sensors also enable process control, such as monitoring a process, like
manufacturing an item, and making any adjustments that might be required to meet
quality or production goals. This was once a manual process, but smart sensors can
be used to automate process control.

Smart sensors also play a key role in modern security systems. Thermal imaging
sensors can be used to detect an intruder's body heat. Similarly, devices such as
smart locks, motion sensors, and window and door sensors are commonly
connected to a common network. This enables the security sensors to work
together to paint a comprehensive picture of the current security status.

What are different types of smart sensors?

There are five main types of smart sensors used in industrial environments.
Although there are many types of special purpose sensors in use today, they are
generally based on one of five types of sensors.

1. Level sensors. A level sensor is used to measure the volume of space taken up
in a container. A vehicle's fuel gauge might be connected to a level sensor that
monitors the level of fuel in the tank.

2. Temperature sensors. A temperature sensor is a sensor that can monitor a

component's temperature so a corrective action can be taken if necessary. In an
industrial setting for example, a temperature sensor can be used to make sure
machinery is not overheating.

3. Pressure sensor. Pressure sensors are often used to monitor the pressure of

gasses or fluids in a pipeline. A sudden drop in pressure might indicate a leak
or a flow control issue.

4. Infrared sensors. Some infrared sensors, such as those used in thermal

imaging cameras or noncontact infrared thermometers are used for temperature
monitoring. Other infrared sensors are optical sensors tuned to a frequency that
enables them to see light in the infrared spectrum. These types of sensors are
used in medical equipment, such as pulse oximetry devices, and in electronic
devices designed to be operated by remote control.

5. Proximity sensors. A proximity sensor is used to detect the location of a

person or object with relation to the sensor. In retail environments, proximity
sensors can track customer movements throughout the store.
How are smart sensors different from base sensors?
Smart sensors include an embedded Digital Motion Processor (DMP),
whereas base sensors don't. A DMP is, essentially, just a microprocessor that is
integrated into the sensor. It enables the sensor to perform onboard processing of
the sensor data. This might mean normalizing the data, filtering noise or
performing other types of signal conditioning. In any case, a smart sensor performs
data conversion digital processing prior to any communication to external devices.

A base sensor is simply a sensor that isn't equipped with a DMP or other compute
resources that would enable it to process data. Whereas a smart sensor produces
output that is ready to use, a base sensor's output is raw and must typically be
converted into a usable format.

Smart sensors are generally preferred over base sensors because they include
native processing capabilities. Even so, there are situations where it might be more
advantageous to use a base sensor. If an engineer is designing a device and needs
complete control over sensor input, then it will probably make more sense to use a
base sensor than a smart sensor. Base sensors also cost less than smart sensors
because they contain fewer components.

Although smart sensors are most often associated with industrial equipment, IoT
couldn't exist without smart sensors. Learn more about the use cases and benefits
of smart sensors for IoT.

Home automation” refers to the automatic and electronic control of household

features, activity, and appliances. In simple terms, it means you can easily control
the utilities and features of your home via the Internet to make life more
convenient and secure, and even spend less on household bills. Read on to find
answers to some of the most common questions about home automation
technology, and get a few ideas for home automation solutions to incorporate in
your home.
How does home automation work?
Home automation is a network of hardware, communication, and electronic
interfaces that work to integrate everyday devices with one another via the
Internet. Each device has sensors and is connected through WiFi, so you can
 manage them from your smartphone or tablet whether you’re at home, or miles
away. This allows you to turn on the lights, lock the front door, or even turn down
the heat, no matter where you are.
There are three main elements of a home automation system: sensors, controllers,
and actuators.

 Sensors can monitor changes in daylight, temperature, or motion detection. Home

automation systems can then adjust those settings (and more) to your
preferences.
 Controllers refer to the devices — personal computers, tablets or smartphones —
used to send and receive messages about the status of automated features in
your home.
 Actuators may be light switches, motors, or motorized valves that control the
actual mechanism, or function, of a home automation system. They are
programmed to be activated by a remote command from a controller.

What features are available through home automation systems?

Home automation systems offer a variety of services and functions. Some of the
more common features available through these platforms include:

 Fire and carbon monoxide monitoring

 Remote lighting control
 Thermostat control
 Appliance control
 Home automation security systems and cameras
 Live video surveillance
 Alarm systems
 Real-time text and email alerts
 Digital personal assistant integration
 Keyless entry
 Voice-activated control

What are the benefits of home automation?

The purpose of a home automation system is to streamline how your home
functions. Consider some of these benefits:

 Remote access: Control your home from mobile devices, including your laptop, tablet, or
smartphone.
 Comfort: Use home automation to make your home a more comfortable, livable space.
Preprogram your thermostat with your preferred settings so that your home is always at a
comfortable temperature, set up smart speakers to play music when you get home from
work, or adjust your lights to soften or brighten based on the time of day.
 Convenience: Program devices to turn on automatically at certain times, or access their
settings remotely from anywhere with an Internet connection. When you don’t have to
remember to lock the door behind you or switch off the lights, you can turn your attention
to more important things.
 Increased safety: Smart fire detectors, carbon monoxide monitors, pressure sensors, and
other home automation security features can help protect your home from disaster.
 Energy efficiency: Home automation allows you to be more mindful of your power usage.
For example, you can save on energy bills by reducing the length of time that lights stay
on, or by lowering temperatures when you leave a room.
  What Is a Building Automation System (BAS)?
 A building automation system (BAS) is a network designed to
connect and automate certain functions inside a building. All of the
building control systems, from lighting and HVAC (Heating,
Ventilation & Air Conditioning) to fire and security systems—all wired
through one set of controls.
 Building automation systems (BAS) are often part of green buildings,
too.
 A smart building, also called an intelligent building, is one with a
building automation system (BAS) in place.
 What makes them smart is that the BAS helps maintain indoor air
quality and energy efficiency by tracking the status of related
systems. It doesn’t have to be just one building, either. If you manage
a commercial property with multiple buildings, all of them can be
managed through a single interface. This helps your facilities
management team work smarter, not harder.

For most building automation systems (BAS), input and output devices
connect with a controller and a user interface. These components all work
together to gather, process, and adjust information.

 Most BAS have five main components:

o Input devices (sensors): measure data (like CO2 in air and
humidity)
o Controllers: the system’s “brain” decides how to respond to
that data
o Output devices (actuators): carry out the controller’s
programmed responses
o Communications protocols: a language for the parts to “talk”
to each other
o User interfaces (UI): screens and dashboards to review
building data reports

Input devices detect measurements like room temperature and whether

equipment’s powered on. Output devices adjust these measurements, like
reducing temperature or turning off equipment. The controller manages all
the devices in a building’s primary systems, so it processes data from the
input devices and sends any necessary changes to the output devices.
These components have a shared language, or communications
protocol, such as BACnet. The output devices carry out the controller’s
commands according to programmed responses. For example,
automatically increasing ventilation when CO2 is too high. Finally, the user
interface displays data visually. This can be a computer, or even a web-
based tool. But the user interface doesn’t need to actually run the controls;
it just provides a single place for all of the readouts coming through the
input devices.

How Can Building Automation Improve My Facility &

Reduce My Workload?
Building and facility managers face plenty of challenges, but five of the big
ones are cost management, building safety and indoor air quality, building
security and emergencies, environmental impact, and last but never least,
user comfort. Building automation systems (BAS) address all these
concerns.

1. Cost Management

If operational costs keep you up at night, a building automation system

(BAS) might be the answer. Less energy means a lower power bill.
Because you’ll be able to track how your systems are performing at any
given time, you’ll also know exactly what needs to be repaired and when.
That translates to lower maintenance costs, too.

A BAS simplifies managing large real estate portfolios. Whether you have
an entire facilities management team handling your buildings or just a few
strategically placed workers, they’ll be able to use their time and resources
more efficiently.

Not sure if there’s room in the budget for a BAS? The cost savings often
help pay for it. Plus, there may be local financial incentives for projects that
reduce your facility’s carbon footprint.
2. Building Safety: Indoor Air Quality

Poor indoor air quality was a common, costly, and underestimated threat to

building occupants—long before the current realities of a global pandemic.

Because building automation systems (BAS) can automate indoor air

quality monitoring, this core feature becomes an important safeguard to
help you improve indoor air quality for the safety of your occupants.

As building managers and owners, we’re legally responsible for keeping

carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide levels within safe limits. Further, as
we navigate 2021 and beyond, it’s increasingly falling to building managers
and owners to limit indoor pollutants and pathogens (like the novel
coronavirus/COVID19) from spreading through our heating, ventilation & air
conditioning (HVAC) systems.

What does this have to do with BAS? For starters, if carbon monoxide
reaches unsafe levels, your BAS can send you an alert
and automatically activate the ventilation system to start pumping fresh air.
That’s why the Indoor Air Quality Awards program requires a BAS at the
highest certification level.

3. Building Security Threats & Emergencies

We’ve already mentioned how a building automation system (BAS) can

integrate with your security system to automate threat responses. For
example, if a motion sensor flags activity but none of the building’s tenants
has swiped a security card, your BAS can determine there could be an
intruder. It can then kick off a predefined security response to help protect
your building.

Think about how your building automation system (BAS) would work during
a fire. An activated smoke detector triggers a fire response. For example,
emergency lighting turns on throughout the building, alarms blare, and
prerecorded safety messages tell people to evacuate. At the same time,
the BAS can prompt the heating, ventilation & air conditioning (HVAC)
system to manage smoke by bringing in fresh air. It can also send data to
first responders to help locate the fire’s source.

In these and just about any other possible emergency, a BAS can help you
better protect your building occupants.
4. Environmental Impact

CO2 emissions are rising for many reasons, some of them relating to how
buildings use heating, ventilation & air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

Air conditioning alone accounts for roughly 8.5% of worldwide electricity

use. Canada has higher and lower temperature extremes than most
countries, so our buildings have to compensate for those extremes. That’s
just one reason why energy accounts for 82% of Canada’s total emissions.

On top of that, did you know 42% of all energy produced worldwide goes
toward buildings? And did you know that 50% of that total energy is wasted
due to inefficient building automation systems (BAS)? In other words…

21% of all energy produced worldwide goes towards waste energy for
buildings — most of which could be recouped with more efficient
building automation, control, and management.

We’re still looking forward to 100% efficient systems, so until then, waste

energy remains a reality we have to contend with.
With a BAS in place, however, you can improve the performance of your
heating, ventilation & air conditioning (HVAC) and other systems. This
helps reduce waste energy as much as possible and may help meet your
business’ environmental goals. You may even be able to earn your building
the coveted LEED® certification.

5. User Comfort

It’s important to ensure the comfort of everyone using your commercial

property. The temperature should ideally be 20–26ºC (68–79ºF), allowing
for seasonal changes, with a relative humidity of 40–50%. With a building
automation system (BAS) tracking temperature and humidity, building
tenants will be more comfortable and even more productive.

Happy tenants tell friends and colleagues how much they like their space.
This high level of satisfaction can lead to a higher referral rate, a lower
vacancy rate, and better sales for your commercial development.
How Can I Make My BAS Work for Me?
Maybe you already have a building automation system (BAS) set up for
your commercial development. If it’s working well for you, that’s great! We
hope it’ll prove effective for a long time. If it’s not particularly successful,
though, you might be frustrated and wonder if there really are any benefits
of building automation systems.

There are several reasons why your BAS might not be working well for you.
For example, it could have a poor user interface without easy data access,
or it could simply be too old to integrate properly with your business’
systems. You can get around this by either upgrading or retrofitting your
existing system, depending on what challenges you’re facing.

It’s also possible you need more support from your BAS provider to help
you unlock all of its features. Even the most advanced BAS in the world will
only make a difference if its building manager fully understands how to use
it. Of all the buildings currently using BAS, only a meager 20% are using
80% of the system’s potential.
The takeaway here is that if you aren’t happy with your existing building
automation system (BAS), talk to your local heating, ventilation & air
conditioning (HVAC) service provider to learn how you can work together to
optimize your system.