Design of an Energy-Efficient Laboratory and Classrooms in Educational Institutions Through Cost Effective PLC Augmented Technique

The monthly energy bill of an educational institution is a major component of its total monthly expenditure, as observed from the cashbooks. It has been noted that this expenditure can be significantly reduced by adopting energy-efficient technologies on the demand side, particularly in laboratories and classrooms. In this paper, an attempt has been made to design a smart system incorporating energy-efficient lighting, advanced security features, and fire safety mechanisms using a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)-driven automation system. For the implementation of the scheme, ultrasonic sensors, light-dependent resistor (LDR) sensors, and smoke detectors are utilized to provide input to the PLC. Various relays are employed to operate the controllers based on signals from the PLC. Initially, one laboratory and one classroom were selected as a case study to test the cost-effectiveness of the proposed system. Furthermore, a detailed cost-benefit analysis has been conducted, demonstrating economic feasibility and highlighting the superior energy savings achieved compared to conventional installations.