A Network Sensor Fusion Approach for a Behaviour-Based Smart Energy Environment for Co-Making Spaces

• Main Authors: Teng-Wen Chang, Hsin-Yi Huang, Chung-Wen Hung, Sambit Datta, Terrance McMinn
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-09-01
• Series: Sensors
• Subjects: internet of things; solar energy; smart buildings; user behaviour; ambient agents; wireless sensor networks
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/20/19/5507

User behaviour and choice is a significant parameter in the consumption patterns of energy in the built environment. This paper introduces a behavior-based approach for developing smart energy applications. With the rapid development of wireless sensor networks and the Internet of Things (IoT), human-computer interfaces can be created through the mapping of user experiences. These applications can provide users with dynamic feedback on their energy consumption patterns in their built environment. The paper describes a “Sensible Energy System” (SENS) that is based on user experience design methods with sensor network technology. Through SENS, solar energy simulation is combined with device consumption data in order to achieve an IoT network to facilitate the interaction between user behaviors and electricity consumption. The interaction between users and devices through SENS can not only optimize power consumption, but also provide consumers with additional choice and dynamic decision making regarding their consumption. This article provides an (1) understanding and analysis of users’ spatial interaction, explains the (2) planning of the new smart environment design and user experiences, discusses (3) designing a suitable Wireless sensor network (WSN) agent and energy connection, describes (4) the information that has been collected, and (5) incorporates a rooftop solar potential simulation for predicting energy outputs into the sensor network model.