A Novel, Self-Powered, Non-Intrusive, Sigfox-Enabled Smart Meter for Challenging Scenarios
In this work, a wireless autonomous power smartmetering device is presented. This device is able to measurecurrent at mains electrical lines, exploiting the magnetic fieldinducted around them as energy harvesting. Therefore, it doesnot need a dedicated power supply or battery replacement. The electromotive force inducted shall be properly handled to makeit suitable to be stored and retrieved from an energy storageelement. Since very low power is harvested from the mainsmagnetic field, a good treatment for the incoming power, as wellas a minimal power consumption system are vital. In order tomake the system autonomous, wirelesscommunicationreliability is a crucial factor. Sigfox is the selected technology as it offersalmost out-of-the-box functioning and wide coverage.Proven results based on a constant 15 minute metering periodobtaining infinite lifetime are shown, providing an optimalsolution for challenging scenarios such as rural areas or developing countries.