Optimal Load Scheduling in Multi-Sourced Smart Home Energy Management System for Effective Prepaid Energy Management

The economic development of any nation relies on diverse forms of energy. The concept of energy mix to solve challenges in power generation and distribution of electric energy has been widely proposed and implemented by researchers and engineers. Renewable energy sources have recently been of great contribution to the energy mix for quick demand response. Despite the diverse efforts in generation and technological advancement in electric power generation, transmission and distribution, population growth and industrialization have caused a continuous increase in demand over supply. In recent times, electrical energy usage billing has changed from postpaid to the prepaid system where purchased power available on prepaid meters could get used up to plunge customers into darkness if not well managed. This paper therefore explores the need to optimise available power for adequate and efficient usage, especially in residential facilities that use prepaid meters instead of postpaid meters. The paper seeks to design a Smart Home Energy Management System (SHEMS) that can optimise domestic energy usage utilizing appliance consumption prioritization. This involved the development of a circuit and operational framework for the implementation of intelligent appliance control. The optimisation circuit for effective consumption of available electric power on prepaid meters was designed and simulated using Proteus Software Version 8.9. The design provides appropriate options and measures to help users choose the best-integrated power consumption plan to guide users in customising a befitting power utilisation option concerning available power and power demand. Power demand was well organised to improve the residential peak load by scheduling the use of shiftable and sheddable loads. The research realised the effectiveness of load management, energy consumption review patterns and power control options leading to a significant reduction in end-users’ electricity bills.