1. A Web of Things to
Reduce Energy Wastage
Markus Lanthaler
Graz University of Technology

4. Mining
Markus Lanthaler – Graz University of Technology

5. Fly-In, Fly-Out
Markus Lanthaler – Graz University of Technology

6. Mining Work Camps
Markus Lanthaler – Graz University of Technology

7. Problem
• Supply of important basic amenities is
costly
• Provision of energy particularly expensive
(diesel generators)
• Mining camp of 1,500 housing units:
> $1.7 million/year just for energy
• Emissions: > 10,000 metric tons of CO2
Markus Lanthaler – Graz University of Technology

8. Problem
• Residents don’t pay themselves: lot of
wastage
• Keep rooms cooled at 18°C for whole day
just to make sure it’s cold on return
(outside > 40°C)
• TVs are not turned off
Markus Lanthaler – Graz University of Technology

9. Reduce Wastage by Automation
Monitor energy Intelligently control
consumption and appliances to reduce
environment wastage
Markus Lanthaler – Graz University of Technology

10. Requirements
• Reuse existing infrastructure
(brownfield project)
• Keep installation simple (and thus cheap)
• Remote control and maintenance
• Do not interfere with the
resident’s interests
Markus Lanthaler – Graz University of Technology

11. Architecture
Logging and
control server
RESTful
services
Internet
(or local network)
housing sensor smart
controller
unit actuator meter
Markus Lanthaler – Graz University of Technology

12. Proof of Concept
Arduino Mega-based
platform
Sensor & actuators
Ethernet
shield
Arduino
Markus Lanthaler – Graz University of Technology

13. Sensors and Actuators
Passive Infrared RFID reader
Sensor (Motion)
IR emitter
Relay
(door lock)
Temperature and
Reed switches humidity sensor
Markus Lanthaler – Graz University of Technology

14. Field Trial Evaluation
• Deployed in a remote housing site in
Karratha, Western Australia
• Run from April 2011 till November 2011
• Used simple heuristics
– resident at work: set A/C to 30°C
– cool room down before resident comes back
Markus Lanthaler – Graz University of Technology

15. Power Consumption Breakdown
Air Conditi oning
77,8%
Hot Wat e r
Other (T V, fridge,etc.) System
10,9% 11,4 %
Markus Lanthaler – Graz University of Technology

16. Power Consumption
16 kWh 32 °C
14 28
12 24
10 20
8 16
6 12
4 8
2 4
0 0
04/2011 06/2011 08/2011 10/2011
manage d unmanage d Te mper atur e
Markus Lanthaler – Graz University of Technology

17. Savings
100% 32 °C
90% 28
80% 24
70% 20
60% 16
50% 12
40% 8
4
0% 0
04/ 2011 06/ 2011 08/ 2011 10/ 2011
Power savings Te mpe r atur e
Markus Lanthaler – Graz University of Technology

18. Conclusions
• Achieved substantial savings
• Reduced consumption by roughly 50%
– $500,000/year
– 1,000-3,000 metric tons CO2
Markus Lanthaler – Graz University of Technology

19. Outlook
Markus Lanthaler – Graz University of Technology

20. Thank You! Markus Lanthaler
Questions? Markus.Lanthaler@student.TUGraz.at
@MarkusLanthaler