Energy Diversion

This is my feeble first attempt at creating an 'energy' dashboard, which is used to monitor energy diversion from my Solar Panels to an immersion heater, to avoid unused energy flowing back to the grid (which I don't get paid for - renta-roof!).

I've used MartinR's excellent sketch in a standard emonTX build, and the data is processed in a  Raspberry  Pi, which acts as my web server.

You can see how Martin's sketch manages the load to the immersion heater by pulsing it on & off, ensuring that Energy Import-Export averages as near zero as possible (as shown in the Energy Import-Export graph), topping up and using the 'energy bucket'.

Paul

(The image below is also a link to the image - for a larger view!)

modenet's picture

Re: Energy Diversion

Hi, thank you for sharing your works; how did you create the first graph with values positive and negative?

thanks in advance

Paul Reed's picture

Re: Energy Diversion

It's simply a 'Realtime' graph displaying a feed which measures energy import and export.

MartinR's sketch switches the load on and off, filling and emptying the energy bucket, within the tolerances of the supply meter.
At the time I took the screenshot, the module was switching the load faster, than emoncms was updating the feeds, hence they appear as a triangular waveform instead of a square wave, but the graph gives a good indication of what is happening under the hood.

Paul

Robert Wall's picture

Re: Energy Diversion

I think the answer that modenet is looking for is imported energy is positive, exported energy is negative and the graph is scaled automatically.

Paul Reed's picture

Re: Energy Diversion

...doesn't it say that in the screenshot?

Paul

Robert Wall's picture

Re: Energy Diversion

Paul, I though the question was intended to ask  "How do you get the graph to show both positive and negative numbers?" - Answer: It happens automatically.

AllenConquest's picture

Re: Energy Diversion

Paul,

Your dashboard looks great. How did you get the icons on the display?

Paul Reed's picture

Re: Energy Diversion

To include your own images/icons in a dashboard, create new text box via the text widget and enter a html link to where the image is stored, for example;

<img src="/images/consumption.gif" alt="Consumption">

Similarly, to change the format of any text entered, try;

<p style="text-align:center;"><b>Home Consumption</b><br><i>Amount of energy being consumed in the home.</i></p>

 

Paul

hbmaganao's picture

Re: Energy Diversion

Hi Paul,

I'm Hugo, I'm writing from Portugal and my the CEO of CRITICAL KINETICS - Energy Consultants.

I have a excellent idea for business in Photovoltaic systems using this type of dash board. My idea was validated by more than 10 senior experts in the area that recognize a lot of potencial.If you think you could be interested in work with us in kind of joint venture, please contact me by Skype ID barbosam or email barbosa@critical-kinetics.com

Paul Reed's picture

Re: Energy Diversion

Thanks for the offer Hugo, but I must decline.

Paul

hapless's picture

Re: Energy Diversion

Hi Paul,

apologies for digging up such an old thread, but your dash above is exactly the kind of detail and visible use I was hoping my EmonPi would give.

 

Can I ask how many physical places you are monitoring your energy usage?

Based on the short time I've had my Pi, I suspect that I either have my Solar CT in the wrong place (it's reading is spot on, so I don't think so) or I need to measure the diverted energy with another CT?

As the EmonPi only has 2 CT's which are both in use, I'm guessing that I'll need more sensors?

To that end, I've been investigating options, and not sure which way to go?

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