Open and informed home control

AI Quick Summary

A set of open source hardware and software components to allow people to better use their PV and time electrical services to minimize their carbon footprint. Photovoltaics are expected to grow dramatically during the Energy Transition, but the economic case for PV is hindered by the difference between the production and consumption prices in most Swiss utilities. One key to economic use of PV is to maximize one's self-use - the problem is that this requires control systems. In this project, I will build on an existing homemade solution which controls the electric heating in my home by following the PV generation curve. In contrast with commercial systems, my approach will be completely self-controlled. The system will be a set of self-assembled, well-documented open source components following the example of https://sensor.community/en/sensors/, including:Microcontrollers and relays used to control contactors for large electrical loadsData logging, interface, and control softwareUse the ENTSO-E API to calculate the current and predicted carbon intensity of Swiss generation - electricitymap is now proprietary (sad face)Image machine learning to predict PV generation for the next 10 minutes to enhance dispatch planningTuning the dispatch algorithm to minimize switching of resistive heating elements while providing needed servicesPlan water and space heating to maximize PV use and minimize cost and carbon emissionsAs a passionate open source developer, all software and hardware schematics will be free and open. All electrical components will be professionally reviewed. Dissemination of the system, and results from an example implementation, will be done through a non-profit association which I co-founded: Départ de Sentiers.

Project Idea Metadata

• Project Idea Name: Open and informed home control
• Date: 6/8/2022 8:46:50 PM
• Administrators:

Project Idea Description

Photovoltaics are expected to grow dramatically during the Energy Transition, but the economic case for PV is hindered by the difference between the production and consumption prices in most Swiss utilities. One key to economic use of PV is to maximize one's self-use - the problem is that this requires control systems. In this project, I will build on an existing homemade solution which controls the electric heating in my home by following the PV generation curve. In contrast with commercial systems, my approach will be completely self-controlled. The system will be a set of self-assembled, well-documented open source components following the example of https://sensor.community/en/sensors/, including:

• Microcontrollers and relays used to control contactors for large electrical loads
• Data logging, interface, and control software
• Use the ENTSO-E API to calculate the current and predicted carbon intensity of Swiss generation - electricitymap is now proprietary (sad face)
• Image machine learning to predict PV generation for the next 10 minutes to enhance dispatch planning
• Tuning the dispatch algorithm to minimize switching of resistive heating elements while providing needed services
• Plan water and space heating to maximize PV use and minimize cost and carbon emissions

As a passionate open source developer, all software and hardware schematics will be free and open. All electrical components will be professionally reviewed. Dissemination of the system, and results from an example implementation, will be done through a non-profit association which I co-founded: Départ de Sentiers.

A set of open source hardware and software components to allow people to better use their PV and time electrical services to minimize their carbon footprint.