Smart Home Energy Management System: A Comprehensive Handbook for Homeowners

In an era where the global shift toward sustainable energy is underway, the effective management of energy holds increasing significance in contemporary society. Homeowners now have access to Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS), offering an intelligent and streamlined approach to energy utilization.

Understanding Home Energy Management Systems

A Home Energy Management System is a sophisticated setup designed to monitor, control, and optimize energy usage within a household through advanced technology. This system incorporates features such as energy consumption tracking, automation control, and networked management. Its primary objective is to aid homeowners in the adept management of energy consumption, ultimately leading to reduced energy expenses and enhanced energy utilization efficiency. Particularly in the current landscape of energy transition, marked by a growing reliance on renewable energy sources, smart home energy management systems play a pivotal role in fostering energy intelligence.

Key Elements of a Home Energy Management System

Photovoltaic (PV) Power System: A crucial component for intelligent home energy management and achieving grid independence. Common types include rooftop and balcony PV systems, utilizing solar panels and inverters to convert solar energy into electricity, meeting the operational needs of household loads.

Energy Storage System: This system stores surplus solar energy generated during sunny periods. The stored energy serves as backup power during outages or cloudy weather.

Heat Pump: An increasingly popular heating device seamlessly integrated with PV systems, harnessing clean energy for heating purposes and efficiently utilizing surplus energy.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger: Charge electric vehicles during periods of high PV system generation, ensuring stored energy for later use.

Energy Management Devices: These devices play a dual role by measuring real-time power consumption of various household loads and the power generated by the PV system. Additionally, they dynamically allocate load power based on real-time conditions and homeowner preferences.

Household Loads: Intelligent control of home appliances, such as water heaters or refrigerators, optimizes their power consumption, contributing to overall energy efficiency.

Operation of the Home Energy Management System

In brief, energy management devices continually gauge the real-time power of both the PV system and household loads, making intelligent adjustments to power consumption. In a scenario where a home is grid-integrated with a PV power system, on a sunny day with surplus PV power, the home energy management system boosts the power consumption of household loads like heat pumps. It also initiates the charging of electric vehicles or energy storage systems to make efficient use of excess electricity and prevent wastage. Conversely, on cloudy days when the PV system generates insufficient power to meet household consumption, energy management devices judiciously introduce power from the grid or energy storage systems. This ensures the fulfillment of daily load operations while minimizing unnecessary electricity usage, such as from EV chargers.

Benefits of a Home Energy Management System
1.Cost Reduction
Integration of residential energy management systems with photovoltaic systems enables households to flexibly utilize self-generated electricity, efficiently covering their energy needs. Intelligent control and energy storage, such as through heat or EV charging, lead to lower electricity costs.
2.Enhanced Energy Utilization Efficiency
Home energy management systems achieve comprehensive energy utilization through integrated management of household and photovoltaic systems. By strategically coordinating solar power, load consumption, and energy storage, the system ensures efficient energy utilization, preventing losses caused by excess electricity flowing into the grid and thereby increasing overall energy utilization efficiency.
3.Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction
By monitoring and optimizing energy usage, home energy management systems empower homeowners to precisely understand and control their energy consumption. Regular data analysis and smart control help identify potential energy waste, enabling homeowners to take effective measures and contribute to energy conservation and emission reduction goals.
4.Intelligent Living Experience
Through mobile applications or online platforms, users can access real-time energy data, adjust device settings, and control home energy, enhancing the comfort and convenience of home life.

Beny’s Intelligent Energy Management Solutions

Designed specifically for intelligent energy management, the Beny Home Energy Management System is crafted for seamless integration with home grids equipped with photovoltaic power systems. It comprises BEMS measuring devices and BEMC control devices.

BEMS Measuring Device: Installed in the household distribution box, this device measures real-time electricity generated by the photovoltaic power system and controls the BEMC for precise adjustments.

BEMC Control Device: Positioned on the load side, this device measures and adjusts the power of connected loads, such as water heaters and heat pumps.

The synergy between these two devices unlocks a range of smart features:

*Various energy modes: For instance, household priority mode dynamically adjusts other power consumption to prioritize household electricity needs. The BEMS measuring device includes BOOST and MODE inputs, allowing users to manually control boost mode and switch between winter and summer modes according to their preferences.

*Perfect integration with EVB chargers: In instances where PV system-generated electricity exceeds household load requirements, the system collaborates with EVB chargers to boost charging power, supporting commuting and travel needs.

*Three-phase measuring: Capability to measure the voltage and current of three phases, enabling independent adjustment of power for each phase.

*Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity: The BEMS measuring device connects to a smartphone app via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, enabling users to customize system parameters, monitor energy flow, and access historical energy-saving records for personalized intelligent management.

*Enhancing security: Both the BEMS measuring device and BEMC control device are equipped with built-in safety fuses and isolated power supplies. Surge protection devices and other safety components are also equipped to prevent equipment damage from grid fluctuations.

*Data safety: The Beny server is located on AWS, ensuring the security of customer data.

During the period of energy transition, the benefits of energy management systems extend beyond merely enhancing energy efficiency. These systems offer households with a sustainable and intelligent approach to energy management at home. By thoughtfully integrating photovoltaic systems to attain self-consumption, households can play a proactive role in contributing individually to the objectives of sustainable development. In doing so, they become active participants in the broader context of the ongoing energy transition.