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Smart energy management

State-of-the-art IoT technologies enable the monitoring and analysis of energy flows in real time and lay the foundations for data-driven optimisation. The seamless integration of smart sensors, actuators and control systems enables precise control of energy consumption.

Smart energy management expands the possibilities for transparently monitoring and precisely controlling energy flows. In buildings and industrial applications, IoT solutions help businesses to visualise energy consumption and energy losses, and to identify opportunities for optimisation. This creates a robust data foundation for measures aimed at improving efficiency, reducing costs and enhancing sustainability.

IoT integration of energy meters

STEINEL Solutions has integrated electricity meters from a well-known manufacturer into the IoT world. A LoRa module for the new generation of products was developed in a development project. In addition to providing advice and development services, STEINEL Solutions also supported the product approval process and manufactures the modules.

The application software for visualising the data in the cloud was deliberately provided by the customer for this project, but it could also be implemented by STEINEL Solutions.

Energy consumption and efficiency analysis

In future, it should be possible to read energy meters remotely. Mechanical electricity meters in households are being replaced by smart meters, which provide transparency regarding energy consumption and a data basis for efficiency analyses.

Technology decision

The choice of LoRa as the communication technology is no coincidence. LoRa technology extends the reachability of the meters without their own infrastructure.

IoT system

The electricity meter collects values for voltage, energy, current, frequency, etc. in the internal logbook (on the respective phases or in total). The module polls this data via an internal interface and sends it via LoRa to a LoRa application server.

What can the LoRa radio module do?

The installation situation of an electricity meter in metallic electrical cabinets in basements, garages or service rooms is often not optimal for transmitting data wirelessly to a public communication network. LoRa, with its sub-GHz band and chirp spread spectrum (CSS), offers the optimal technology for this application. In addition, the LoRa network can be easily and cost-effectively expanded with additional gateways.

Schematic representation of the transmission of smart meters via LoRa WAN to the gateway, which in turn transmits data to the application software via the application server

To ensure a stable and high-performance connection to the LoRa gateway, the LoRa interface continuously adapts the optimal transmission and reception parameters. The LoRa module can be installed in existing energy meters. It transmits the signals without noticeable loss from the confined space inside the meter.

What is special about the solution is the antenna design of STEINEL Solutions. This makes it possible to connect an additional external antenna in addition to the internal antenna, which is why it can switch between external and internal antenna in the firmware.

Highlights
✓ Data transmission over long distances
✓ Stable connection
✓ Transmission from areas without permanent wireless network coverage
✓ Extended accessibility

Portrait of Florian Blöchlinger, Head of Sales at STEINEL Solutions AG

Florian Blöchlinger, Head of Sales at STEINEL Solutions Ltd.

"Through the targeted use of IoT technologies in energy management, we lay the foundations for the efficient monitoring and control of energy consumption. This enables our customers to analyse energy flows with greater transparency and to capitalise on opportunities for optimisation in a targeted manner. Drawing on our expertise in the integration of sensor and communication technologies, we develop future-proof solutions for building management."

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