ENGR215WetLandEnergyMonitorTeamPhoto1.jpeg
FA info icon.svg Angle down icon.svg Project data
Authors Aaron Ayala
Zane Mosby
Brian-ismael
Location Philadelphia, United States
Completed 2013
Cost USD 142.74
OKH Manifest Download

WetLand is an art installation on the Delaware River, for more information visit the Appropedia page: WetLand. WetLand is supplied with electricity by solar panels connected to four 12v batteries. The amount of sunlight and arrangement of batteries will affect the amount energy the system can produce. The amount of electricity stored in the batteries will change daily due to the varying concentrations of sunlight as well as the amount of loads(light bulbs, water pumps, laptops, etc.). It is important that the inhabitants of WetLand are informed on the state of the batteries as well as the amount of electricity being produced in order to accommodate their use accordingly.

Commercial and Hobbyist Energy Monitors[edit | edit source]

There are a good number of energy monitors out there. Most of which only work in the AC world (i.e. your homes, the coffee shop, the classic wall plug), and the monitoring systems designed for a PV system are normally tied in with an expensive charge controller. However we found some great inspirations out there, and their links are listed below listed below.

Objective[edit | edit source]

We would like to provide WetLand with a monitor that is designed to inform the inhabitants of the energy being produced and stored. It will also act as a warning system when the health of the batteries are in danger.

Criteria[edit | edit source]

The Table-1(sortable) below explains our criteria and list in them in order of importance.

Table-1: Criteria and Their Importance
Criterion: Weights Constraints:
Cost 10 Less than $325
Safety 10 Won't harm anyone: Grounded and well insulated (OSHA)
Accuracy 9 Less than 5% error
Maintainability 9 Less than an hour a week
Interpretability 8 Easily understandable for the public
Aesthetics 6 Dystopian
Reproducibility 6 Anyone can recreate

The Final Design[edit | edit source]

Our design passes the electricity of the batteries and solar panels through their own respective current sensor. The current sensor sends an analog signal to an Arduino Uno which processes the data and displays...... on our color-changing LCD. The LCD is programmed to change color depending on how much energy is being used. Also, a piezo buzzer is set off when the energy consumed threatens the batteries. Wattage will be calculated using a real-time clock, an SD card, and a few lines of code. The monitor is powered by the electricity coming from the batteries; to do this we use a dc-dc step-down converter, which drops the voltage low enough to power an Arduino.

Materials/Costs[edit | edit source]

Material costs: Materials for the system of,"WetLand energy monitor" were received by buying new, used, and discounted items. Donated parts where also received. Table below details the materials cost and cost for constructing the WetLand Energy Monitor system.

Item Cost [$] Tax
Arduino Uno 25.00 1.81
Sensor Shield 10.88 0.79
Real Time Clock 6.90 0.50
RGB LCD 24.95 1.81
Piezo Buzzer 1.50 0.11
(2) Hall Effect Current Sensors 28.90 2.10
DC-DC Step Down Converter 12.49 0.91
SD Shield 8.99 0.65
Mounting Hardware 3.00 0.22
Wires from Battery 3.99 0.29
Wires from Solar Panels 2.50 0.18
Intercept Plug 3.99 0.29
Wood Mounting Surface Donated
Plexiglass Enclosure Donated
Misc. Terminals Donated
Misc. Hardware Donated
Solder Donated
Total 133.09 9.65
Final Cost 142.74

Video[edit | edit source]

mqdefault.jpgYouTube_icon.svg
A rendering completed by Mary Mattingly of the WetLand Project showing the geodesic domes and rough lay out on the floating barges.

WetLand energy monitor team[edit | edit source]

Azb.jpg

Back to front: Aaron Ayala, Michael Zane Mosby,and Brian-Ismael Vargas Estrada

Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies.