Development of a real time energy monitoring platform

Abstract

This study introduces development of a user-friendly and quite effectual energy monitoring system which has been installed in Electrical Education Department of Gazi University in Turkey and in use since November 2007. The system developed monitors data in real time using a powerful energy analyzer which is capable of measuring many parameters of energy consumed in the building. The real time data measured by the power analyzer are transferred to a host computer via RS485 serial communication protocol and then collected in a database continuously. Thus, parameters of energy measured are successfully followed, archived, and presented as graphical forms. The monitoring system presented in the study integrates to quite visual and quite user friendly interface with powerful and flexible hardware. Therefore, several functions can be performed easily and safely by simple actions. On the other hand, the system presented in our paper is developed in a university, so it can be used by students to learn energy systems and parameters. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.