Making household outlets “smart”

- Energy Optimizers Limited EOL has launched a new ZigBee Smart Energy version of its existing plug-in electricity meter for the Canadian market that can help utilities and households understand better the load demand on the grid.

The UK companyÂ’s device, called the plogg, allows utilities, home and building-owners to monitor how much electricity is being used by individual appliances and electronic devices so that energy efficiency across the grid can be improved. The plogg has gained approval to CSA C22.2 No 61010-1 for use in Canada.

The plogg is a combined smart meter plug and data logger, based on EmberÂ’s EM357 ZigBee wireless technology running on a Telegesis module. It can be attached to any electrical appliance or device that uses a standard NEMA 5-15 15 Amp North American plug. The plogg stores the measured electricity data and wirelessly communicates this information through an Internet-linked Ethernet gateway. For instance, BC Hydro in Vancouver is using the plogg in trials designed to test demand side management DSM programs that provide accurate load data for the following residential end-uses: Appliance Loads, Standby Loads, Reactive Loads, Voltages.

Optimum design and monitoring of such DSM programs requires accurate and reliable data about end-use consumption patterns.

Using Ember’s EM357 ZigBee “system-on-chip” transceiver and EmberZNet PRO wireless mesh networking software with Smart Energy cluster libraries installed, a network of ploggscan operate with other third party ZigBee SE compliant Smart Meters, Programmable Thermostats, In-Premises Displays and Energy Service Portals.

“We have worked closely with BC Hydro who has provided us with positive feedback on the customization, design and operational features of the plogg,” said Shaun Merrick, General Manager. “With the release from Ember of their new EZSP for the EM357 chip, we now have the means through the plogg gateway to deliver large scale mesh networks of multi-vendor end devices each installed with ZigBee Smart Energy clusters.”