A novel low-cost smart energy meter based on IoT for developing countries' micro grids

The increasing demand for energy calls for traditional power grids to become smarter. In developing countries, the challenge is to build smart grids by integrating renewable energy sources into the existing power systems with the help of micro grids. In this paper, a novel low-cost smart energy meter (SEM) is proposed for online energy measurement and billing. The proposed SEM is based on the Internet of things with LoRa-WiFi, which increases the connectivity range and reduces dependence on Internet access. A dedicated Android application provides a friendly communication between the user and the utility company. The proposed measurement system enables the user to get real-time supply voltage, current, and power consumption directly into their smart phones. The proposed SEM also helps energy companies become aware of possible thefts and faults and to provide reliable service to their customers.