Pervasive System Based on Situation-Awareness for Feedback of Energy Efficiency

Abstract

The reduction of electric energy consumption is considered as one of the main challenges in diverse sectors of the economy. To residential customers, the management of energy consumption can bring significant costs reduction and decreased environmental impact. The challenges to achieve this goal are related to (i) non-existence of devices containing sensors with affordable prices to manage the expense in real-time of devices' power, and (ii) lack of a home system to control and help in the decision-making process when power consumption goes beyond desirable values. These systems should assist the user when unwanted situations related to energy consumption arise. This work presents a solution that helps the users to reduce the consumption of electric energy through its own residence. The practical results obtained in a real-live scenario confirmed the option of collecting information directly of electrical appliances and inform the user of their energy expenditures in real-time, allowing the knowledge and the management of their expenses.