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Smart Energy Metering Using LPWAN IoT Technology

Chapter · January 2018

DOI: 10.1007/978-981-10-8249-8_2

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 Smart Energy Metering using LPWAN IoT
Technology
Shobhit Jain and Pradish M Paventhan A Saravanan M and Arindam Das
Central Power Research Institute ERNET Chennai Ericsson Research
Bangalore, India India Chennai, India
jain.shobhit90@[Link] paventhan@[Link] [Link]@[Link]

Abstract— The last mile networking for Internet of network [6]. Hence the overall smart grid technology can
Things (IoT) applications using short-range networks in consist of sets of individual technologies – span the entire grid,
ISM band such as IEEE 802.15.4 LoWPAN mesh, WiFi, from generation through transmission and distribution to
Zigbee, Bluetooth Low Energy have been studied widely in various types of electricity provision to consumers [1]. Smart
the last few years with demonstration in many industrial grids can play a vital role in the deployment of electricity
scenarios. However, the reliable connectivity in last mile infrastructure in developed countries by enabling more efficient
scenarios like individual energy meter in the home area operation and lower costs. Small “remote” systems – not
network (HAN) connecting to the data concentrator in connected to a centralized electricity infrastructure and initially
employed as a cost-effective approach to rural electrification –
turn to the meter data management systems (MDMS)
could later be connected easily to a national or regional
through WAN connectivity is considered to be a challenge
infrastructure [2]. But extending this to the developing
in certain areas. There are emerging low power WAN countries seems to be really challenging task due to the
(LPWAN) technologies such as LoRA, Wi-SUN, SiGFOX - involvement of huge cost in installation and investment
all operating in unlicensed band, and NB-IoT - in licensed towards changing new environment. Some of the technologies
band, that can provide alternative long range connectivity are actively being deployed on pilot basis for various utilities in
option for realizing IoT networks. In this paper, we discuss India and that are considered as a first-hand experience of the
the Indian smart metering deployment in both rural and new technologies with cellular or non-cellular IoT solution as a
urban scenarios where the short range IoT solution built- proof of concept. In utility sector, implementing such projects
in may not always work best to the needs of long range on a pilot basis will depend on the requirements which includes
expectations. Further, we highlight how emerging LPWAN the consumers, geographical area, and the existing system
technologies will help in building a reliable, low cost, low based on the suitable technologies and standards that are
power, long range, last mile technology for smart energy adopted for achieving seamless end-to-end connectivity.
metering solutions. We also present our prototype In this paper, our expectation is to apply the new
implementation of end-to-end LoRA connectivity for technology on the present energy meter’s setup in developing
smart metering solution and discuss final visualization countries that can expedite the communication in a real-time or
platform. near real-time by including the additional features like
Automated Meter Reading (AMR) and also to recommend the
Keywords: IoT, LPWAN, Smart Metering Solution, consumers with relevant schemes. So we anticipate that the
LoRa, DLMS Protocol proposed setup will depict the smart meter functionalities by
operating autonomously or as part of a wireless ‘mesh’
network with neighboring meters and transmit information to
I. INTRODUCTION
the utility companies using any last mile connectivity on a real
Growing electricity demand, distributed generation, time. The challenge in such implementations with present
integration of renewables, advancements in IoT networks meters on rural area expect the low power and long range
which attempts for managing the power system network with connectivity with minimum installation cost. Hence, we have
various levels of automation, managing outages, etc. have tried with the implementation of LPWAN technology for the
focused attention on the role of converting the electric grids to smart metering solutions embracing to the present metering
be smarter and efficient. One way, it helps in increasing protocols.
electricity reliability – especially by increasing the grid system
flexibility for various solutions. The smart grid, which overlays LPWAN technologies allows utility sector to receive
the traditional electrical grid with an IoT network that includes information over much longer range than traditional solutions
smart meters will help in managing and monitoring various in both rural and urban areas as we tested with our prototype
parameters of consumption pattern of customers on near real for smart metering solutions. Moreover, in this paper we
time basis. Building a smart grid involves transforming the describe the enablement of metering architecture in Long
traditional electricity network by introducing a chain of new Range (LoRa) RF for extraction different parameters from
smart technologies. These includes smart sensors within Meter with the use of Microcontrollers through RS-232
backend IT systems, smart meters and a communications Communication. LoRa is one of the LPWAN technology and it
provides a 2-way wireless solution that complements metering IoT application with Low Power, long Range network with
infrastructure, and provides a low-cost way to connect to limited differences. SigFox is a narrowband technology that
energy meters and communicate the metering parameters to the uses a standard radio transmission method called binary
cloud through gateway for providing smarter solutions. phase-shift keying (BPSK), and it works with very narrow
Rest of the paper is organized as follows: Section II parts of spectrum and changes the phase of the carrier radio
represents the background of technology and metering wave to encode the data. With these the receiver can only
protocols, Section III describe LoRa Components used in our listen in a tiny slice of spectrum which mitigates the effect of
prototypes, Section IV discuss the implementation setup of noise [13]. It requires an inexpensive endpoint radio and a
prototype demonstration and the results and finally presenting more sophisticated base station to manage the network,
the concluding remarks in Section V. whereas LoRaWAN [12] works at a wider amount of
spectrum. Narrowband IoT (NB‑IoT) on other hand, also
II. BACKGROUND known as LTE Cat. NB1, is a Low Power Wide Area (LPWA)
[4] technology that works virtually anywhere by generating
With recent advancements in IoT networks, globally the
more secure transactions. It connects devices simply and
power utility companies are deploying smart meters with
efficiently on already established mobile networks, and
various communication technologies. LPWAN technologies
are the one that is extensively available in today scenario for a handles small amounts of fairly infrequent 2‑way data,
long range which can be leveraged for the smart metering securely and reliably.
implementations. Energy meter could be configured with this
smart module, and achieve most of the benefits of smart LoRa [11] is a robust modulation technique for long
meters. The data transmission uses low power, long range, and range, low data rate and low power wireless communications
narrow band transmission resulting in increased range of developed by Cycleo, a French company which was later
operations, better network stability, reliability and optimum acquired by Semtech that is used in LoRaWAN networks.
cost for implementation. This module could be configured to LoRaWAN networks are typically organized in a star-of-stars
give personalized notifications at programmed intervals to the topology in which gateways relay messages between end-
utility and the consumers. In this section, we describe the devices and a central network server in the back-end.
background details of the technology and the relevant Gateways are connected to the network server via IP links
metering protocols. while end-devices use single-hop LoRaWAN communication
to one or many gateways. All communication is generally bi-
LPWAN technology is used when other wireless networks directional, although uplink communication from end-devices
aren’t a good fit with some case studies —Bluetooth and BLE to the network server is strongly favored [11].
(and, to a lesser extent, WiFi and ZigBee) and even that are
often not suited for long-range performance. Cellular M2M In the current scenario, 2G Networks are being in falling
networks are costly, consume a lot of power as well as cycle and are not fully suited to IoT applications due to battery
expensive as far as hardware and services are concerned [10]. life constraints as well as poor bandwidth. The next generation
LPWAN technology is perfectly suited for connecting devices cellular proposals (LTE MTC) targeting IoT applications are
that need to send small amounts of data over a long range, not ready for deployments until 2018, so there is a current gap
while maintaining long battery life. The two main areas where in the market scenario [8]. LPWAN stands for Low-Power
LPWAN best suits are [10]: Wide Area Network, a chipper spread spectrum technology
which encodes multiple bites per symbol, has integrated
1. Fixed, Medium- to High Density Connections: In packetization and error correcting, and works with a great
cities or buildings, LPWAN technologies are great integrated baseband digital signal processor (called SX1272
alternative to the cellular M2M connections. Some model), made by Semtech company. The benefits of LPWAN
examples include smart lighting controllers, is applicable to LoRa also can be presented here [9].
distribution automation (smart grid), and campus or
city-focused GPS asset tracking. a) Spectrum: It uses unlicensed spectrum (865.20 -867
MHz in India and 915 MHz in US)
2. Long Life, Battery powered Applications: When a b) Extension: With a 2-4 kilometers in dense urban
longer range is needed than legacy technologies can areas and up to 15-30 kilometers in rural areas.
provide, LPWAN can be a good fit. Examples (depends upon line of sight, more the clear greater
include wide-area water metering, gas detectors, the extends)
smart agriculture, and battery powered door locks c) Power: 10+ years of battery life (The device's power
and access control points. produced cannot exceed 10-25 mW, to comply with
usage of ISM frequencies, and to limit data
SigFox [13] and LoRa [12] are the prime competitors in consumption and preserve battery life)
the LPWAN space for last two years. And while the business d) Radio Chipset cost: $2 or less
models and technologies behind the companies are quite e) Radio Subscription cost: $1 per device/ year
different, but the end goals are very similar. Both works for
 Existing Local Area Networks (LAN’s) such as WiFi, III. LORA MODULE COMPONENTS
Bluetooth is already established technologies and they have
well established standards such as WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, Zigbee In our protyotype, to connect to the energy meter for
and Z-Wave [12]. Some of the issues with Local Area reading and communicating, we have employed LoRa module
Networks / Personal Area Network are the battery which consists of two main interfacing components, a
consumption and connectivity range. Similarly, the cellular microcontroller is attached with a LoRa RF module to get the
network such GSM, 3G, 4G, LTE are also established details out of the meter and transfer the same to the LoRa
proprietary mobile networks developed for better data gateway which was shown in Fig 1. The microcontroller block
throughput, but it is not considered best when it comes to can be considered as the main block of the entire circuit, as it
power consumption. LoRaWAN on the other hand are is programmed to control all the components to perform the
platforms that can be built according to the specification. desired operation. Here, in this project microcontroller of 8051
LoRa is developed to work with IoT devices which needs family like arduino or RPi was used and programmed using
better battery life and low data transmission on a greater the associated IDE softwares. The energy meter is interfaced
extend. They need very minimal cost for deployment. On with the microcontroller using an serial converter device
other hand LAN and Cellular network are quite expensive to compatable with the meter’s serial port. Similarly, LoRa
deploy in a wide area, where as LoRa would be much more modem is interfaced with a microcontroller’s to GPIO pins
easy and cost effective for the implementation and it follows using interfacing connectors and cables.
the open standards. LoRaWAN targets key requirements of LoRaWAN network architecture is typically laid out in a
Internet of Things such as secure bi-directional star-of-stars topology in which gateways is a transparent bridge
communication, mobility and localization services [4]. relaying messages between end-devices and a central network
Moreover, LoRaWAN specification provides seamless server in the backend. Gateways are connected to the network
interoperability among smart Things without the need of server via standard IP connections while end-devices use
complex local installations and gives back the freedom to the single-hop wireless communication to one or many gateways.
user, developer, businesses enabling new roll out with Internet All end-point communication is generally bi-directional, but
of Things. Next we will discuss the relevant metering also supports operation such as multicast enabling software
technology which support to our implementation. upgrade over the air or other mass distribution messages to
reduce the on air communication time. Communication
Device Language Message Specification (DLMS) is an between end-devices and gateways is spread out on different
application layer protocol supporting multiple transport layer frequency channels and data rates [5, 7].
options including Ethernet, and PLC. Companion specification
for Energy-Metering (COSEM) specifies the data model with
their attributes and methods. DLMS/COSEM are open
standards managed by DLMS user association [3]. DLMS is
the most popular communication protocol used in metering
arena across the world and accepted by most energy utilities in
the wake of liberalized energy market. Moreover, several
countries including India have framed metering specification
based on DLMS which will act as a guideline for utilities to
specify their metering requirements and ultimately improve
consumer data collection, billing and revenue.

In this wider scheme of things, one vital component used

with DLMS powered inter operable meter is OBIS codes.
OBIS stands for Object Identification System [14]. It provides
the standard identifiers for all data within the metering Fig 1. LoRa Module Connectivity to Gateway
equipment, both measurement values and abstract values.
Moreover, the OBIS names are used for the identification of
COSEM objects and also for identification of the data IV. IMPLEMENTATION & DISCUSSION
displayed on the meter and transmitted through the
For the experiment we have taken a DLMS based energy
communication line to the data collection system [14]. Easily,
meter to interface the same with a microcontroller based
we can interpret the values extracted from meters through
module that can transmit the meter parameters to our controller
OBIS codes. The extracted values are communicated to the
and transmit the same through LoRa RF module. The base
cloud through LoRa module used in our implementation.
module interfaced with the energy meter through interfacing
Now, we can extract the multple relevant parameters from the
modules and serial port connections. LoRa module can read the
general energy meter used in households for the analysis. We
serial data from the meter through serial communication device
have also designed an analytical model for recommending
and the same is then transferred into machine readable values
certain schemes relevant to the consumers in a cloud setup.
using OBIS codes. The initial setup of the meter involves
configuring baud rate (9600bps) and Rx, Tx pins for // ****** SETUP: RUNS ONCE ****** //
subsequent communications. The data received from the Void setup () {
microcontroller through Rx, Tx ports is transferred using the
LoRa communication interface as shown in Fig 2. //Need to set the number of data points we are going to use
and set them all to 0
//ensures i start with blank data which i can omit later.
//These are strings is i got results like "0.004*Kw" from the
meter.
int z = 0;
while (z < 6) { // if you send 10 OBIS codes then set 6 to 10,
etc.
readOut[z] = "0";
z++;
}
Fig 4. Code Snippet – Data pooling setup

The values received from the meter is not in machine

readable format, as those data are encoded as specified in
DLMS protocols. The encoded data is then converted using
OBIS code reference model into readable format. The data is
then transferred to LoRa Gateway for the further processing as
shown in Fig 5.
The data received form LoRa Module is thereafter
transferred to LoRa gateway for uploading the same in the
Fig2. Energy Meter Connect to LoRa Module cloud. The distance between gateway and the modules are
configured in such a way that a gateway can handle more than
We have shown two code snippets here to demonstrate the 10 LoRa module in an area of 4-5Kms, and each LoRa module
connection of serial communication with microcontroller from can be attached with at least 10 meters.
meter (Fig 3) and how within the setup, we extract the relevant
data from DLMS meter using OBIS reference model (Fig 4).

/*-----( Import needed libraries )-----*/

#include <SoftwareSerial.h>
#include <ctype.h>
/*-----( Declare Constants and Pin Numbers )-----*/
#define SSerialTxControl 3 //RS485 modual control pin
#define RS232Transmit HIGH
#define RS232Receive LOW
#define Pin13LED 13
Fig 5. Data conversation method
/*-----( Declare objects )-----*/
SoftwareSerial RS232Serial(10, 11); //10 is RX and 11 is TX
The data received on gateway are then transferred to
Ericsson Cloud setup (implemented in Ericsson research lab),
/*----- (Declare Variables) -----*/
for putting those into a prediction models. The data from the
String readOut[20] = "";
cloud is then transferred to two places – firstly into the utility
int BaudRateL[4] = {1200, 2400, 4800, 9600};
centers with a provision of sending commands back to the
char BaudRateM[4] = {0x32, 0x33, 0x34, 0x35};
microcontroller and another to the web page for displaying to
//Hex value for sending your preferred baud rate to the Meter.
customers. The newly designed web page for the smart
metering solution is shown in Fig 6.
Fig 3. Code Snippet – RS232 Communication Setup
Ericsson Cloud (Eri Cloud) enables to transform the data
The microcontroller need to first establish the connections with back to LoRa module for actuation based on anlaytics. It also
the meter through sending OBIS request for the first time. stores the data collecting from the gateways. These system
Once the energy meter is setup in the environment, the required that can be trusted, with known performance and economics,
OBIS code is sent to get various parameters of data. that is accessible and available in real-time.
 directly shown in GUI and even it can be directed to consumer
mobile through new application development for decision
making and controlling the device usage. Our prototype can
easily be implemented in the real time environment for the
benefit of customers and utility centers to provide smart
metering solution without altering the existing setup with very
little one-time investment.

REFERENCES

[1] Smart Meters and Smart Meter Systems, A Metering Industry

Perspective”; An EEI-AEIC-UTC White Paper; February 2011
IEC 62056, “Electricity metering - data exchange for meter
reading, tariff and load control,” International Electrotechnical
Commission series of standards, 2002
[2] N. Sornin, M. Luis, T. Eirich, T. Kramp, and O.
Hersent,“LoRaWAN specification version 1.0,” January 2015.
[3] DLMS User Association. [Link] May 2013.
[4] [Link]
Developers
[5] [Link]
Fig 6. Web portal for consumption details [6] [Link]
send-sensor-data-using-lora-extreme-range/
The web page is connected with Ericsson cloud, to get the [7] [Link]
real time updates out of the LoRa gateway and display the lora/
same. It also shows the results of prediction models that run on [8] [Link]
stored data. These results were help the consumer to track [9] [Link]
down their usages and also to have limited control on the communications-debuts-ultra-low-power-connectivity-solution-
pave-way-internet-things
devices. The administrative part of the web portal is controlled
[10] [Link]
by the utility centers. [Link]
[11] Understanding Limits of LoRa WAN – Journal published on
V. CONCLUSION 27th June 2016 .
In this paper we have demonstrated the LoRa [12] [Link]
implementation in connection with the DLMS based Energy [13] [Link]
meter for establishing communication and data extraction. The [14] [Link]
extracted data can be moved to Cloud for storing and running cification/[Link]
prediction model to generate consumer-specific
recommendation. Energy Meter parameters like voltage,
current frequency and power-factor and consumption can be

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