Design and Implementation of a Zigbee, Bluetooth, and GSM-Based Smart Meter Smart Grid

Abstract

The first step in upgrading the billing and metering systems available in Iraq in most areas supplied by IMOELC (the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity) is the development and application of smart meter systems. These systems are based on two-way communication between consumers and suppliers, and the smart meter approach is thus more reliable than even digital meters with regard to billing and tamper prevention, as well as allowing the government to monitor electricity consumption in an enhanced and organised way based on the information obtained from data centres. To facilitate this data exchange, a new meter was proposed and tested in real-time in a few houses in Karbala, with the measured voltage, current, and power factors for energy multiplied every second and summed to determine energy consumption before being stored on the SD (Secure Digital) card in a backup text file in case of shutdown. The readings collected from the tested region were send to a Data Concentrator Unit (DCU) using three communication methods (Bluetooth, XBee and GSM). The data was then transferred from the DCU to the server via GSM, as GSM offers the lowest interference and fault occurrence, making it most suitable for long-distance transfers. Bills were generated based on the readings over time, with the division by time shown on the bill to urge users to rationalise their energy use at certain times during the day. The final error in current reading was less than 8% and the error in voltage reading was less than 0.64%.