ABSTRACT
The aim of the smart energy saver system design is to save energy by coordinating the manner of use of electrical appliances, thereby reducing energy consumption in electrical appliances (such as fan and light) and devising a means of reducing the need for human intervention in the control of electrical appliances in a building. In most developing countries like Nigeria, the demand for electrical energy outweigh the supply and with the recent increase in electricity tariff in Nigeria, there is urgent need to efficiently regulate power consumption so as to reduce its overbearing cost effect.
The design project presents a smart energy saver system that will effectively regulate power consumption in the home/office. In its implementation, ATMEGA328p microcontroller that utilizes a grid eye sensor to detect occupants’ presence either in motion or stationary in the building was used. It also has a light intensity detection sensor used to determine ambient lighting as well as a temperature sensor to determine ambient temperature. The control signal from the microcontroller was used to operate the relay circuit to switch the appliances on or off when it senses human presence and vice versa. The design thesis was initially simulated with Proteus 8 professional simulator software before being assembled on electronic breadboard and later transferred to PCB.
When put into test, it was observed that, when there is no human presence in motion or stationary within the distance range of four (4) meters, the appliances are switched off. On the other hand, as soon as any person enters the room and within a distance range of four (4) meters from the system, the appliances will be switched on. On the basis of the intensity of sunlight, the LDR checks the light intensity of the monitored area, whether it is bright or dark. Depending on the LDR output, the LED light may be ON or OFF by using relay circuit.
