How IoT Sensors Can Help Save Energy?

Energy CIO Insights | Monday, March 02, 2020

Energy has become the most important factor in the modern world. However, energy providers have to find ways to optimize energy consumption.

Fremont, CA: Energy is used in the majority of household chores, increasing the utility expense, which is a significant concern for households everywhere. Currently, the average household electricity bill in the US is $114 and more in the regions such as Hawaii. Overconsumption of electricity is harmful to the environment and impractical for the users as it increases the bills. The users often forget to switch off electrical equipment. Thus, solution providers are developing mechanisms that can control the consumption of electricity automatically. Sensors and data harvesting is one of the efficient ways to manage electricity resources.

Often people fall asleep while watching TV, and the device stays on for the entire night. With smart sensor controls, the tool can detect the facial gesture of the person watching, which could automatically turn off the TV if the viewer falls asleep. This technique can save a good amount of energy. Further, Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats can manage cooling and heating with the help of smartphones or tablets. Sensors could detect human presence, temperature, pressure, and other factors. These sensors leverage IoT and optimize building automation. Organizations have developed sensors that automatically sense the presence of a person and turn the cooling on or off, which can conserve energy. With the rise of smart technology, integrated sensors and automated systems can handle multiple gadgets.

An individual can assess their needs with data harvesting. In a number of industries, IoT is used to boost plant growth, functions of refrigeration units, indoor air quality, enhance the function of trash compactors and rooftop solar power plants. Evolving smart sensors such as nano-sensors, wireless sensors, and other sensors are carving a path to an integrated future. IoT has opened new venues for energy providers when it comes to supply, monitor, analyze, and price the energy based on several factors. Automation in smart meters has exponentially reduced the time and human interference required while collecting data in terms of usage patterns and trends. Now, data can be easily uploaded to the cloud for evaluation and visualization, which enables the energy providers to ensure load management and uninterrupted supply of power. This further helps energy providers to optimize their pricing strategy based on usage patterns and peak loads. This IoT deployment is a win-win situation for energy users and providers.

IoT and Data Harvesting has a lot of benefits such as energy-saving operations with sensors, negligible human intervention, positive effect on global warming, versatile wireless tracking systems, better functions with existing wiring and electrical systems, and interior light reduction control. Energy distributors benefit from sensor-integrated smart meters as it is leveraged correctly in conjunction with cloud enablement and analytics. The energy consumption, as well as the energy distribution paradigm, has completely changed due to predictive modeling demand and generation response, optimized resource management, and expenditure and costing. The energy demand is increasing, and the per capita electricity consumption is growing as well. The primary aim of energy producers is to lower the energy consumption without hampering the daily life of the users.