Image Processing and IoT Based Innovative Energy Conservation Technique

This paper illustrates an innovative, real-time, energy monitoring system in educational institutions, using MATLAB, image acquisition and processing mechanism. Smart Innovative Method for Energy (E-SIM) conservation proposed here, designs, deploys and evaluates energy consumption patterns of laboratories, lecture theaters and halls in institutions. Specially designed hardware is used to monitor energy consumption pattern of each laboratory or lecture hall. The data is then matched with the time-table and occupancy level of that laboratory or lecture hall using cloud based data analytics and IoT (Internet of Things) in real time. If the energy consumption doesn’t match the time-table or the occupancy level, an alert is generated for further investigation and action. Matching energy consumption patterns with the time-table of laboratories and lecture halls in an educational institution over a period of time can result in significant energy saving. The E-SIM may help institutes design cost-effective recommendations to address energy inefficiencies and implement new initiatives. The complete design includes energy infrastructure (metered laboratories and lecture theaters), energy routing within institutes, web applications and data analytics. The E-SIM helps monitor the utilization of energy in organizations resulting in efficient energy management by them thereby reducing their environmental impact. By monitoring plug loads in each laboratory or lecture theatre, the number of devices using energy, the number of occupants and the actual energy use can be better managed. This is the vital information required to take actions and policy decisions for saving energy and it may, in future, provide the real time on-line digital ability to on-off control at each plug.