NIT Andhra Pradesh researchers develop computing stack to monitor, control electrical loads

NEW DELHI: The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Andhra Pradesh researchers have developed an ‘Edge Computing Stack’ to monitor and control electrical loads through Smart Powerline communications. This device is an Internet-of-Things (IoT) based electrical switch designed to check the consumption of electrical appliances.

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The device is unique due to its hybridized approach of power line communication and Wi-Fi and has published an Indian patent. It has been developed by Sri Phani Krishna Karri, Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, NIT Andhra Pradesh along with LN Sastry Varanasi, Research Scholar, Department of Electrical Engineering, NIT Andhra Pradesh.

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The system consists of two modules namely ‘Master’ and ‘Slave.’ The Master Device communicates with a mobile device through a wireless medium. The Slave devices are directly connected to electrical appliances, which sense the voltage, current, power and power factor of each appliance. The sensed information is communicated to the Master Device through a Power Line Communication (PLC).

NIT AP research

Highlighting the key aspects of this device, Karri said, “The system addresses energy mismanagement at consumer end, which is a problem for both the utility company and customer. This product is intended to optimally manage electrical energy and monitor appliance level health by utilizing the existing electrical infrastructure. This will also reduce the recurring maintenance cost and the power bill.”

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Highlighting the commercialization of the patent on this device, L N Sastry Varanasi said, “We are planning to commercialize the product by establishing a start-up and grow as an individual entity. However, for wider outreach, we are looking at licensing the technology to develop various products.”

The unique contribution of this patent is the optimal usage of both Wi-Fi and Power Line Communications whereas the existing solutions are mainly based on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a combination of both.

The AI-based suggestive mechanism of this patent will help the user to get notifications regarding the health of the appliance.

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Professor C S P Rao, Director, NIT Andhra Pradesh appreciated the work done by the faculty member and the scholar and encouraged the staff for such interdisciplinary based collaborative research work in emerging applications. He said that IoT-based monitoring system for individual appliances will help the consumer for balanced utilization of energy and also save the power bill.