Design and Implementation of a Smart Energy Meter Using a LoRa Network in Real Time

Abstract

Nowadays, the development, implementation and deployment of smart meters (SMs) is increasing in importance, and its expansion is exponential. The use of SMs in electrical engineering covers a multitude of applications ranging from real-time monitoring to the study of load profiles in homes. The use of wireless technologies has helped this development. Various problems arise in the implementation of SMs, such as coverage, locations without Internet access, etc. LoRa (long range) technology has great coverage and equipment with low power consumption that allows the installation of SMs in all types of locations, including those without Internet access. The objective of this research is to create an SM network under the LoRa specification that solves the problems presented by other wireless networks. For this purpose, a gateway for residential electricity metering networks using LoRa (GREMNL) and an electrical variable measuring device for households using LoRa (EVMDHL) have been created, which allow the development of SM networks with large coverage and low consumption.