Off-grid Energy Monitoring

Abstract

A range of circumstances and physical conditions exist in New Zealand that strongly motivates the adoption of off-grid electricity systems. However, there is scant detailed knowledge and understanding of many aspects of their use, including their effectiveness and economics. Moreover, the availability of detailed data on their use, which could produce this knowledge and potentially help to more effectively control these systems, is likewise lacking. Along with an interest in such systems in New Zealand, attention on the developing world, particularly the Pacific region, is also evident. This research first involves a review of off-grid systems in New Zealand, particularly in terms of scale and form, along with related monitoring work performed within and outside the country, and the monitoring hardware and software used for that task. Second, the installation of precision monitoring equipment and associated communications are evaluated in terms of available off-grid residential systems of genuine off-grid systems, full-time permanently occupied residencies, and non-grid connections. Third, the commissioning and testing of the above-related equipment, and the storing of the data in a database, is conducted. Fourth, the development of real-time monitoring dashboards and data analysis techniques that provide short-, medium-, and long-term information on installation operations is performed. Finally, opportunities for improvement, including controls leading to improvement, are identified.