Introduction: Green Energy Monitor - Live Data
This project is designed to monitor the production of green energy in real time. I always wanted to be independent in terms of energy, but I never knew how much energy I could produce with one, two or ten photovoltaic panels, if I have enough sun in my area, if the wind blows hard enough so I decided to monitor energy systems already installed to make my opinion. I wanted that before investing in an energy system to know exactly how much energycan produce and how long can recoup the investment so I started to watch some systems ready installed and functional. I want to point out that the technical data of photovoltaic panels and wind turbines are not always sufficient to achieve an energy system because there are many factors (geographical area, season, weather, obstacles in the area, etc.) that influence the performance of such energy system.
Step 1: Monitored Power System Consisting of Photovoltaic Panels and Wind Turbine
In my project data taken from arduino via sensors are transmitted to a web server online to be saved and viewed. I used noninvasive current sensors for measuring current from photovoltaic panels and wind turbine, battery voltage sensor and two temperature sensors DS18B20 digital.
Currently two locations are monitored, containing mixed wind and photovoltaic energy systems and data are stored on the web server.
Now I can watch anytime porduce how much energy my photovoltaics and wind turbine both at home and at work from any computer connected to the Internet, even on my smartphone.
online data: http://free-energy-monitor.com/index.php/energy/li...
Step 2: Energy Production Time
In this way data can be recorded for years and shows how such a system is useful and also differences between the photovoltaic system and wind turbine system, I can calculate annual energy produced and can track the behavior of the two energy systems in every season.
Step 3: Components and Costs
- 2013 Version ATmega32U2 ATmega328P UNO R3 Board & Free USB Cable for Arduino DIY - aprox. 10$ (ebay);
- Ethernet Shield W5100 Network Expansion Board For Arduino UNO R3 Mega 2560 - aprox. 7$ (ebay);
Hall Effect Current Sensor For Hobbyist, Arduino Compatible, AC 75A DC 100A - 9$ (ebay);
Octopus Voltage Divider Module Electronic Bricks for Arduino 5$ (ebay);
DS18B20 Waterproof Temperature Sensors Thermistor Temperature Control hv2n - 2$ (ebay);
1602 LCD Board Keypad Shield Blue Backlight For Arduino Expansion Board - 4$ (ebay);
Step 4: Description Operating Mode - How It Works.
The module reads the values of the analog inputs which are connected current sensors (one for photovoltaic panels and a wind turbine), the sensor voltage (for bench batteries) and a digital input for temperature sensors (for temperature measurement bench batteries and environment outside), web server transmits (POST method) and call a PHP script that inserts data into a database. The transmitted data are mean values after readings at an interval of 10 ms for 2 seconds (200 samples), resulting in insertion into the database at an interval 2-3s, 1200 samples per hour.
The input data are read analog values of the voltages across the sensors (0-5V), they are converted to digital values (0-1023) by an analog to digital and depending on the type of sensor applies a formula in which results in final value measured V(volts) for voltage or A(amps) for currents.
Ex1: sensorValue = analogRead (A5); // Read analog input
U = (float) ((sensorValue) * 25) / 1023; // Read voltage calculation
Ex2: sensorValue = (analogRead (A4) -507); // Read analog input
if (sensorValue == 1 or sensorValue == - 1) sensorValue = 0; // error correction
If = (float) sensorValue * 0215; // Read the current value calculation
Step 5: Arduino Software
Arduino program is loaded into the attachment "monitorizare_securiceni.ino".
Live data energy monitor with arduino uno: http://free-energy-monitor.com/index.php/energy/li...
Attachments

Participated in the
Explore Science Contest

Participated in the
MAKE ENERGY: A US-Mexico Innovation Challenge

Participated in the
Burn It! Contest
16 Comments
7 years ago
ce tip de baterii folosesti pentru a stoca energia electrica?
ce tip de generator folosesti pentru eoliana?
Reply 7 years ago
Baterii cu gel de 200 -250Ah (in general Ultracel). Eoliana este de 1Kw.
7 years ago
i also made a Solar PV energy meter ^_^ https://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Based-Sola...
7 years ago
I'm a novice in Rpi programming and electronics.. and i wish to do this project!!.. Can you help me with the wiring connections pls?..
Reply 7 years ago
What exactly do you want to know? Wiring is depending of sensor you want to use.
Reply 7 years ago
I meant the circuit connection you used.. with the one in the bottom right in the images
Reply 7 years ago
Two curent sensors and one voltage sensor are powered from arduino +5V and GND. The output of them are conected to analog input of arduino(Voltage sensor output to A1, photovoltaic curent sensor output to A4, wind turbine curent sensor output to A5). For temperature sensor I have been used digital pin 3.
Reply 7 years ago
Thank you ! it was of great use! :-)
8 years ago on Introduction
Hi
You can find schematic at step 5: https://www.instructables.com/id/Green-power-live-d...
(monitorizare_securiceni.ino)
8 years ago on Introduction
hi dutuc
it's so great monitoring,i want to try make one like that ,
I am very grateful if you can share full schematic
thank's
8 years ago on Introduction
Hi Dutuc.nicolae,
It's awesome article. It's very interesting and instructive. I am working in WIZnet that is manufacturing W5100 chip used in Arduino ethernet shield. If you are okay, we would like to link your article to the site named, wiznetmuseum.com. If possible, we would like to open your article to more people who access this site. Is it okay?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
I'm glad you like my site, it's okay to more people can access the site.
8 years ago on Introduction
Great, i'm willing to help you with any detail or information you need.
8 years ago on Introduction
I was impressed by this project which is the solution that I was looking for a long time.
8 years ago on Introduction
That is awesome. I didn't know you could do so much with an arduino. Good work!
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
yes, indeed only a few dollars can achieve such a project, I hope in the future to extend the project and monitor multiple locations worldwide.