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Project Applications



Technical Capabilities

Info
The RBgrid library provides professional-grade energy monitoring with response times as fast as 10ms, enabling real-time control scenarios impossible with typical smart home systems.


Measurements & Analysis

  • True RMS voltage and current measurements
  • Power calculations: Active (P), Reactive (Q), Apparent (S)
  • Current direction analysis: Automatic import/export detection
  • THD analysis and harmonic spectrum for power quality assessment
  • Single-phase support with 3-phase expansion capability


Economic Features

  • Flexible tariff system: Time-of-Use rates (peak/off-peak, weekends)
  • Net metering: Separate tracking of import and export
  • Cost forecasting: Based on history and current tariffs
  • Cost optimization: Load shifting recommendations


Energy Sources

  • Solar panels: Generation monitoring, MPPT tracking
  • Wind turbines: Efficiency analysis
  • Fuel generators: Fuel consumption tracking
  • Batteries: Charge/discharge cycle management



Real-World Project Applications


1. Energy Monitoring Systems

Home Energy Monitor

Challenge: Complete energy consumption control for a residential home

Implementation:
- SCT-013 installation on main breaker for total metering
- Additional sensors on critical circuits (kitchen, HVAC, water heater)
- Web interface for real-time visualization
- Alerts for threshold violations

Result
15-20% consumption reduction through "phantom load" identification and equipment optimization.

Data Center Power Monitoring

Challenge: IT infrastructure energy efficiency tracking

Implementation:
- Real-time PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) monitoring
- Power factor analysis for PSU quality assessment
- THD monitoring to prevent equipment failures
- DCIM (Data Center Infrastructure Management) integration

Result
Cooling and load distribution optimization, PUE reduction from 2.1 to 1.6.


2. Smart Heater Control

Time-of-Use Tariff Optimization

Challenge: Minimize heating costs with dual-rate tariffs

Result
35-40% heating cost reduction while maintaining comfort levels.

Solar Excess Diversion

Challenge: Maximize self-consumption instead of grid export at low feed-in tariffs

Note
Use dynamic load management to automatically divert excess solar power to water heating, pool pumps, and battery charging based on priority levels.
Result
Self-consumption increased from 30% to 85%, ROI reduced from 7 to 4 years.


3. Power Limit Management

Peak Demand Control

Challenge: Stay within 15kW connection limit with multiple high-power appliances

Warning
Exceeding your connection limit can result in breaker trips, equipment damage, and utility overage charges. Implement proper load management to prevent these issues.
Result
Zero breaker trips, eliminated overage charges, optimal utilization of available capacity.

Dynamic EV Charging Load Balancing

Challenge: Charge multiple EVs without grid upgrade

Implementation:
- Real-time household consumption monitoring
- Dynamic power allocation between charging stations
- Priority scheduling by departure time and SOC
- Solar and off-peak optimization

Result
Ability to charge 2-3 EVs on standard 15-25kW connection without infrastructure upgrade.


4. Integrated Energy Systems

Smart Home with Solar and Battery Storage popular

Challenge: Maximum autonomy with minimum costs

System components:
- 10kW solar array
- 20kWh LiFePO4 battery bank
- Heat pump with buffer tank
- Smart outlets and dimmers

Operating algorithm:
1. Morning (6:00-9:00): Use stored battery energy
2. Day (9:00-17:00): Direct solar consumption + battery charging
3. Evening peak (17:00-21:00): Battery + minimal grid import
4. Night (21:00-6:00): Thermal storage on off-peak rates

Results:
- 70-80% annual energy independence
- 5-6 year ROI
- Critical load backup power

Neighborhood Microgrid advanced

Challenge: Create local energy system for residential community

Implementation:
- Network of 20 RBgrid devices in ESP-NOW mesh
- Centralized management server
- P2P energy trading between houses
- Shared energy storage

Features:
- Real-time generation/consumption balancing
- Virtual Power Plant (VPP) for grid services
- Island mode during grid outages
- Fair cost/revenue distribution

Result
40-50% energy cost reduction, improved reliability, additional revenue from grid services.


5. Specialized Applications

Crypto Mining Farm with Tariff Optimization

Features:
- Automatic power management by tariff zones
- Efficiency monitoring (hashrate/kW)
- Overload and thermal protection
- Pool integration for profitability optimization

5.2 Smart Greenhouse Climate Control

Features:
- Priority solar use for grow lights
- Ground thermal storage during excess generation
- Supplemental lighting cost minimization
- Emergency shutdown on limit breach



Economic Benefits


Typical Savings:

Application Scenario Cost Reduction Payback Period Implementation Difficulty
Home monitoring 10-15% 6-12 months ⭐ Easy
Tariff optimization 25-35% 3-6 months ⭐⭐ Moderate
Solar self-consumption 40-60% 3-5 years ⭐⭐⭐ Advanced
Integrated system 50-70% 4-6 years ⭐⭐⭐ Advanced
Microgrid 40-50% 5-7 years ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Expert



DIY Maker Projects

Note
All DIY projects are designed to work with commonly available components and can be built using standard maker tools. Complete schematics and code examples are available in the examples folder.


Popular Builds

Solar MPPT Controller intermediate

Build your own Maximum Power Point Tracker:
- Monitor panel voltage, current, and power
- Implement perturb & observe algorithm
- Optimize battery charging
- Display on OLED with efficiency stats

Smart Power Distribution Unit (PDU) advanced

Professional-grade PDU for workshop or lab:
- Individual outlet monitoring
- Remote control via web interface
- Overcurrent protection per outlet
- Power quality logging

Whole House Energy Dashboard beginner

Non-invasive monitoring solution:
- Split-core CTs on main panel circuits
- Real-time web dashboard
- Historical trending
- Cost tracking with tariff integration

Off-Grid Battery Manager intermediate

Complete battery bank monitoring:
- Individual cell voltage tracking
- SOC and SOH calculations
- Charge/discharge optimization
- Temperature compensation



Conclusion

Tip
The RBgrid library provides all necessary tools for creating intelligent energy management systems - from simple monitoring to complex automated installations. The fast response time (10ms) enables scenarios impossible with typical smart home systems, while support for various sensors and protocols ensures flexible integration into any infrastructure.
Info
Always follow local electrical codes and safety regulations when implementing any energy monitoring or control system. Consider hiring a licensed electrician for installations involving mains voltage.
Technical Capabilities Real-World Project Applications Economic Benefits DIY Maker Projects Conclusion