What it does
Our design addresses the lack of real-time, appliance-level energy insights in households by enabling smart monitoring, predictive analytics, scheduling, and budgeting, empowering users to minimize waste, lower costs, and optimize their electricity usage.
Your inspiration
Our inspiration came from observing how most households lack visibility into their energy usage beyond a monthly bill, making it difficult to identify waste or high-consuming appliances. Interviews with industry experts from TNB and Suruhanjaya Tenaga revealed a gap in real time appliance-level monitoring tools for consumers. This, combined with rising energy costs and the global push for sustainability, drove us to design a smart system that empowers users with actionable insights, helping them make informed decisions to save energy, reduce costs, and support Malaysia’s energy efficiency goals while paving the way for smarter, greener homes.
How it works
Our smart plug system gives households the ability to monitor electricity usage at the individual appliance level in real time. Each appliance is plugged into a compact smart plug equipped with a built-in PCB that measures how much power it uses. These plugs are powered by a small Wi-Fi-enabled microcontroller (ESP32), which sends data every few seconds to a secure cloud server. Through a mobile app, users can instantly see how much energy each appliance is using, turn appliances on or off remotely, and set monthly electricity budgets. The system uses AI to predict future energy usage based on past patterns, alert users about unusual consumption, and offer customized energy-saving tips. Users can also schedule when appliances should turn on or off to avoid energy wastage. All these features are integrated into one centralized platform, helping households gain full control of their energy habits, reduce their electricity bills, and live more sustainably.
Design process
Our design process began by identifying the core problem that most households have no visibility into how much energy each appliance uses, leading to unnecessary waste. We developed initial concept ideas using a morphological chart, exploring different combinations of hardware, data processing methods, and user interfaces. After concept screening and scoring, we selected a solution that balanced cost, performance, and ease of use, which is a smart plug powered by an ESP32 microcontroller with Wi-Fi capabilities. The first prototype used a basic watt meter modified to include the ESP32, relay switch, and AC-DC converter for standalone operation. Initial testing focused on real-time power data collection using MQTT, with successful calibration through pulse-to-power conversion. Based on feedback, we improved sensor accuracy to ±1%, added overload protection, and redesigned the casing using SolidWorks for better durability and airflow. On the software side, we built a cross-platform React Native app, integrated a PostgreSQL database, and used FastAPI to connect all components. AI models were later added for forecasting and anomaly detection. Today, our system is fully functional, tested across multiple appliances, and ready for real-world deployment.
How it is different
Our design stands out among other solutions by offering real-time, appliance-level energy monitoring with smart control features in a single, fully integrated system. What makes it unique is the combination of hardware and AI-driven software. Each appliance is connected to a compact smart plug that not only tracks energy usage accurately but also enables remote switching, budget tracking, and scheduling through a mobile app. Our system also uses AI models to forecast future consumption, detect anomalies, and provide personalized energy-saving recommendations, features rarely found together in affordable solutions. We also made our system easy to scale and flexible to use. This means users can track the energy usage of many appliances, even in different rooms or homes, all from one account. Unlike basic energy monitors or costly smart plugs, our system gives detailed control, real-time insights, and smart predictions for each appliance, all in one place.
Future plans
Our next step is to enhance the system’s AI models for more accurate predictions and smarter energy-saving recommendations. We plan to support high-power appliances, add offline data storage during Wi-Fi outages, and integrate renewable energy sources like solar panels. On the business side, we aim to partner with local utility companies, smart home providers, and government energy initiatives to expand adoption. We also plan to develop a user-friendly setup kit for consumers. Ultimately, we hope to make smart energy management accessible to all households and contribute to a more energy-efficient and sustainable future.
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