A new open-source Internet of Things (IoT) technology has been used in a pilot project in Nottingham.
The City of Nottingham is developing an intelligent energy management system (iEMS) for its Clean Mobil Energy project using OpenRemote’s open-source IoT platform.
The data management system controls the distribution of power between all system components, including an EV fleet, battery storage and solar power. This enables the city’s energy managers to maximize the use of locally produced renewable energy and cut carbon emissions and costs associated with charging EVs.
Nottingham City’s pilot site combines solar panels to generate electricity, a large lithium-Ion battery for energy storage, and a fleet of 40 EVs. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology enables the EVs to be charged and discharged for operational purposes as well as providing additional short-term energy storage and grid balancing.
Pierre Kil, CEO of OpenRemote, said: “Energy management requires monitoring and controlling energy generation, energy consumption, and short-term storage systems to strive for maximum financial benefits or carbon savings.
“With an open source IoT platform you can connect all assets regardless of brand and protocol. The system forecasts solar power generation, consumption and electricity pricing for the upcoming 24 hours to define the optimal charging and discharging cycles for the EV batteries. The optimization reduces withdrawals from the main electricity supply grid and maximizes use of locally produced energy.”
Laura Chippendale, energy project manager for Nottingham City Council, said: “The iEMS will increase the economic value of renewable energy and significantly reduce CO2 emissions.”
