The use of smart-meters is proliferating, they are now being deployed without asking the obvious question: Do we really need each of them? Beyond the cost of smart-meters, there are overheads related to installation, wiring, etc. To formally tackle this question, we first define the notion of observability that one or more pieces of information (including that from smart-meters) enable. This notion allows us to compare two different deployments of sensors with respect to their information content and their usefulness. We then examine some commonly available information from which one can infer power consumption of devices in a given space. We show how we have applied this approach to systematically decide the optimal number and location of smart-meters to ensure observability of consumption by different parts of a building.
General TermsSmart Energy
As buildings get smarter they need to be aware of their spaces and occupants to improve prediction and management of energy consumption and environment customization based on user preference. User identification is crucial to this. However, accuracy of identification, intrusiveness and cost are important factors that one considers before installing such a system. Accounting for these factors, we built a Smart-Door that incorporates fusion of not-so-smart sensors, soft information available and learning algorithms to build an economical and accurate user identification system that requires no user intervention to monitor the occupant count and identities in a shared office space that can be scaled up to a building. It provides real-time occupancy status for the area and it can also learn to identify new users. In addition to energy management, such a user identification system has significant applications including evacuation procedures and localizing malfunctioning appliances.
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