Open Source LoRaWAN Telemetry Test Bench for Smart Grid - a DLMS/COSEM Implementation Case Study

Abstract

Internet of Energy (IoE) emphasizes the need for an intelligent and adaptable Energy Grid system that is based on smart energy meters (SM) and IoT communication technologies. However, many countries are still unable to meet their SM rollout plans due to obstacles such as the lack of human and financial resources, and the absence of interoperable and globally standardized communication protocols in the energy sector. Therefore, developing an open-source platform that can be implemented on top of the existing legacy infrastructure, while having the capability of transmitting metering data over a proven, easily adaptable, and already established long-range wireless communications technology, could accelerate the anticipated migration to Smart Grids. The aim of this work is the realization of an open-source, low-cost telemetry platform that is capable to integrate DLMS/COSEM compliant energy meters over LoRaWAN; DLMS/COSEM is the global standard application protocol for smart energy metering, control, and management which is getting widely accepted in Europe and US. In the proposed architecture, the electricity (consumption or generation) telemetry data are further forwarded to a blockchain network, through a LoRaWaN application server, to be certified and consumed by Distributed Applications (DApp). This way, producers and consumers will be able to exchange (sell or buy) energy (especially from distributed renewable energy sources) over the existing infrastructure, using blockchain technology to enhance integrity, transparency, and security, leading thus to a peer-to-peer electricity trading platform and the democratization of the energy market.