subject: Eg Energy Controls Technical Paper On Energy Monitoring System [print this page] A Technological Objective A Technological Objective
To develop a Energy Monitoring System, which will be compatible with AC current transformers, transducers and RS 485 based electronic meters. The Energy Monitoring System (EMS) will have the ability to interface and process data (kWh usage, Peak Demand, Current, Active Power, Reactive Power, and Voltage from various metering manufacturers. By taking advantage of the EMS, any existing facility, which monitors equipment, will be able to integrate into one communication platform. Typically the Ethernet protocol will be the common denominator for various metering communication methods and protocol. This concept will allow using Internet/Ethernet for communication purposes and creating one universal platform.
1. The EMS is a networked solution that operates over an existing Ethernet or Internet network. This new system will translate any existing protocols and analog signals to one common communication platform. As a result, various metering technologies will be integrated into one common standard. This concept is similar to Windows operating system. In addition, EMS provides up to 256 measuring inputs.
Features
Communicates with 256 monitoring devices
Protocol translator
Interfaces with various energy monitoring systems on the market
Capable to work with older monitoring equipment
Integrates analog and digital metering
Equipment operation status reporting
Cost effective
B.Scientific or Technological Advancement
The EMS is based on a microprocessor and will create analog and digital communication between the user interface and remote metering devices (up to 256). It is also capable to work over Ethernet/Internet.
This new metering concept will perform reading of various electrical parameters and smart software will convert analog and digital data and store it in special memory table. The memory table will be able to be accessed by the remote user via Internet/Ethernet. Typically, a user will have a set of commands to retrieve appropriate information. The EMS will become a protocol translator of various manufacturers metering equipment. In addition, the common platform will allow a user to integrate existing analog equipment with new ones. Moreover, a simple set of commands will allow a user to display the information on the computer screen. This type of system will simplify and reduce installation costs for new and retrofit applications.
The IEM System will interface with the following metering equipment:
2.AC Current Transformers
3.DC Current Transducers
4.DC Voltage Transducers
5.RS 485 Protocol Meters
Here are some advantages:
Allows implementation of analog and digital equipment at minimum cost
Reduces installation costs
Reduces trouble shooting costs
Uses one platform to communicate with various metering equipment
Scientific or technological uncertainty
The most challenging obstacle is to develop low cost hardware and software, which can accurately collect data from various brand name monitoring devices (transducers, digital meters). One EMS will have to sample data from analog and digital equipment and perform cross translation into one platform. Since each supply of metering equipment has different accuracies and communication platform (Analogue 0-10 VDC, 4-20 mA, Digital MODBUS etc), it is a big challenge to develop software and hardware to bring all variables to a common denominator. In addition, in case of self-powered current transducers with DC Voltage output, engineers need to develop a correction table to compensate for loss of linearity. In overall, it is very challenging for the R&D team to develop hardware and software, which is compatible with various monitoring equipment on the market. The software has to have various protocol translators to communicate with various Analog and Digital monitoring equipment. Moreover, the hardware cost has to meet 2-3 year pay back criteria. In commercial applications, low cost capital investment is critical. Furthermore, installations of any Energy Management Systems have to be very easy and quick. Otherwise, it is extremely difficult to implement EMS across the country.
Summary- The concept of Energy Monitoring System (EMS) in the commercial and industrial application creates technological uncertainty for the following reasons:
Customers have non standardized monitoring equipment (analogue or digital)
Metering equipment has accuracy and linearity problems
