Wireless mains sensor for monitoring domestic energy consumption

Abstract. Past studies have shown that awareness of energy consumption can lead to reduction in electricity usage and that real-time, per-appliance data on electricity consumption would provide greater utility and actionable information. Yet, the customers of today’s utility companies typically have to be content with data that is aggregated, delayed and difficult to access. Comprehensive real-time data would also aid in optimizing energy consumption with respect to dynamic pricing and avoiding peak consumption periods. The objective of this thesis was to design and manufacture a wireless sensor for continuous and real-time metering of the energy consumption of a household in the UBI-AMI system version 2. The resulting Mains sensor reads the total energy consumption from the kilowatt hour meter using either a galvanic or an optical connection. The individual loads of the fuses in the circuit breaker panel are measured with Hall sensors. An 8-bit microcontroller collects analog measurements, conducts 10-bit ADC and transmits the resulting digital data to the UBI-AMI system using a commercial 6LoWPAN radio module and the CoAP protocol. The data enables the differentiation of the energy consumption of integrated and built-in elements such as floor heating and sauna from the total energy consumption of the household. The Mains sensor was tested with a demonstrator that comprised of a fuse board, a kilowatt hour meter and sockets for connecting loads. The Mains sensor was found to be flawless in reading the total energy consumption from the kilowatt hour meter using a galvanic connection. The sensor was able to read 84% of fast pulses and showed 4% surplus with slow pulses if the optical connection was used. The Hall sensors had a maximum average error of 0.47% with an active power, in comparison to a commercial energy meter. These results show that the Mains sensor provides sufficiently accurate and reliable information for improving the awareness of energy consumption of a household.Langaton sähköpäätaulusensori kotitalouden energiankulutuksen seuraamiseen. Tiivistelmä. Tutkimusten mukaan tietoisuus energiankulutuksesta voi johtaa sähkön käytön vähenemiseen, ja että tosiaikainen, laitekohtainen kulutustieto olisi hyödyllisempää. Silti nykyisin sähköyhtiöiden asiakkaiden täytyy tyypillisesti tyytyä kulutustietoihin, jotka on kerätty kokonaiskulutuksesta, ovat käytettävissä viiveellä, ja joihin on vaikea päästä käsiksi. Kattava tosiaikainen informaatio myös auttaisi huippukulutuskausien välttämisessä ja energiankulutuksen optimoinnissa dynaamisen hinnoittelun suhteen. Tämän diplomityön tavoitteena oli suunnitella ja valmistaa langaton sensori kotitalouden energiankulutuksen jatkuvaan ja tosiaikaiseen mittaukseen osana UBI-AMI-järjestelmän versiota 2. Syntynyt sähköpäätaulusensori lukee kokonaisenergiankulutuksen kilowattituntimittarista joko galvaanista tai optista yhteyttä käyttäen. Yksittäiset ryhmäkohtaiset kuormat mitataan sulaketaulusta Hallin antureilla. 8-bittinen mikrokontrolleri kerää analogiset mittaukset ja muuntaa ne digitaaliseksi dataksi, joka lähetetään UBI-AMI-järjestelmälle käyttäen kaupallista 6LoWPAN-radiomoduulia ja CoAP-protokollaa. Mittausdata mahdollistaa integroitujen ja kiinteästi asennettujen sähkölaitteiden, esimerkiksi lattialämmityksen ja saunan, energiankulutuksen eriyttämisen kotitalouden kokonaiskulutuksesta. Sähköpäätaulusensorin toiminta arvioitiin testilaitteistolla, joka koostui sulaketaulusta, kilowattituntimittarista ja pistorasioista kuormien liittämistä varten. Sähköpäätaulusensorin havaittiin lukevan kokonaisenergiankulutuksen kilowattituntimittarista virheettömästi galvaanista yhteyttä käyttäen. Optista yhteyttä käytettäessä sensori kykeni lukemaan 84 % nopeista pulsseista ja hitaat pulssit saivat sensorin mittaamaan käytetyn energian 4% todellista suuremmaksi. Hallin antureilla suurin keskimääräinen virhe kaupalliseen mittariin verrattuna oli 0,47 % pätötehollisella kuormalla. Tulosten perusteella sähköpäätaulusensori antaa riittävän tarkkaa ja luotettavaa tietoa energiankulutuksesta ja sitä voidaan käyttää energiankulutuksen tietoisuuden lisäämiseen kotitalouksissa

Automation of old mechanic machines using Fab Lab developed modular analog to digital control system

Abstract We describe the design and manufacturing process of an automation prototype for a workshop machine. We decided to augment and automate a Through Hole Plate machine in use, instead of buying a new one. To that end, we have built off-the-shelf modules that can be easily attached to the machine. The modules either augment the machine with new functionality, or utilize the actual mechanical actuators of the machine to automate desired tasks. The machine is in daily use and thus the automation development cannot interrupt its normal use. Hence, the whole automation structure is removable in a “add-on-top” manner. This makes it easier to replicate the automatisation in another machine without any further modification. We have always utilized Fab Lab processes and built easily fabricable mechanics to facilitate the replication at Fab Lab environment. Reusing old machine instead of buying a new one, and utilizing local resources support degrowth and urban resilience, as well as the circular economy. The prototype is built as a part of Academany Diploma Thesis, following the thesis pilot program structure and implementation. We believe that local and facilitated development of automated machines is a good way to modernize manufacturing with a low environmental impact

Academic recognition of Fab Academy

Abstract Maker educations and distributed educations are increasing in quantity and quality. This gives a possibility for academia to tap into interesting sources of knowledge outside the physical parameters of the institution, as well as outside formal education and traditional learning methods. However, academic recognition of such learning can be challenging. We explore Fab Academy in comparison with a current university course with the same topic; the amount of work by university standards and whether the assessment methods of Fab Academy are sufficient for academic recognition. The workload of Fab Academy is calculated based on the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). The contents are compared based on the range of subjects and the deliverables required to pass the courses. We find Fab Academy to be compatible with the university course. Hence, we consider it possible to include in university curriculum Fab Academy content accredited by different universities

How are mobile makerspaces utilized in schools?

Abstract To explore diverse means to apply digital fabrication in formal education, this poster presents an overview of the literature regarding the use of mobile makerspaces in K-12 school contexts. Among the reviewed literature, mobile makerspace activities were integrated with school curriculums, especially in STEM fields, and teachers were highly involved in planning and implementing the activities. We noticed that technology experts support the activities as well as teachers’ professional development by providing technical assistance. Our findings contribute to uncover the current practices of mobile makerspaces and call for in-depth scientific investigation

Human and technological dimensions of making in FabLab

Abstract In this research, we studied the human dimensions of experience and knowledge, confidence, motivation, and fun with regard to four technological dimensions referring to a FabLab environment: 2D and 3D design, tools and machines, prototyping with electronics, and programming. An intensive, two-week training period for high school students in digital fabrication and design was utilized as a testbed to evaluate how the participants modified their perception of the four human dimensions during the training. We identified that prototyping with electronics and programming were the most significant obstacles. In addition, the perception of acquired knowledge and confidence had increased considerably after training except for the programming domain. FabLab trainers can utilize the trainees’ perceptions on different dimensions to emphasize the specific design aspects of the activity in order to achieve the training goals. We also expect that a detailed description of the experiment setup can be useful to other researchers and practitioners while organizing activities at FabLab

“Document-while-doing”:a documentation tool for Fab Lab environments

Abstract Maker and DIY communities are constantly sharing tutorials, projects documentation, as well as design sketches and model files. Producing documentation of good quality has its challenges, one of them being the amount of time needed to generate it. In this paper, we present a software tool that assists makers and hobbyists in creating reports and tutorials of their projects on-the-go, that is, at the same time they are working on them. A mobile phone application allows taking pictures, grouping them and annotating them with text and audio. All the material collected during the making activity is automatically stored online and presented in a website created for the project. The maker can later modify this site by means of adding additional text, reordering the pictures, or including extra multimedia content or design files. This tool is specially tailored to the documentation needs of the Fab Lab network

Assessment of relatedness to a given solution in 3D fabrication and prototyping education

Abstract This study outlines initial steps to define a new framework to measure relatedness, originality and creativity of student projects in FabLab environment. A default project topic provided to students in a 3D fabrication and prototyping class served as a basis to investigate originality on the functional component level. The added components with their input and output methods, along with the control logic, were used to judge the relatedness to a given solution of the generated design ideas. An example set of ideas given by the students was evaluated with the proposed framework. The framework can complement existing measures of originality and creativity in general

GenZ white paper:strengthening human competences in the emerging digital era

Executive summary We are witnessing an emerging digital revolution. For the past 25–30 years, at an increasing pace, digital technologies—especially the internet, mobile phones and smartphones—have transformed the everyday lives of human beings. The pace of change will increase, and new digital technologies will become even more tightly entangled in human everyday lives. Artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), 6G wireless solutions, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (XR), robots and various platforms for remote and hybrid communication will become embedded in our lives at home, work and school. Digitalisation has been identified as a megatrend, for example, by the OECD (2016; 2019). While digitalisation processes permeate all aspects of life, special attention has been paid to its impact on the ageing population, everyday communication practices, education and learning and working life. For example, it has been argued that digital solutions and technologies have the potential to improve quality of life, speed up processes and increase efficiency. At the same time, digitalisation is likely to bring with it unexpected trends and challenges. For example, AI and robots will doubtlessly speed up or take over many routine-based work tasks from humans, leading to the disappearance of certain occupations and the need for re-education. This, in turn, will lead to an increased demand for skills that are unique to humans and that technologies are not able to master. Thus, developing human competences in the emerging digital era will require not only the mastering of new technical skills, but also the advancement of interpersonal, emotional, literacy and problem-solving skills. It is important to identify and describe the digitalisation phenomena—pertaining to individuals and societies—and seek human-centric answers and solutions that advance the benefits of and mitigate the possible adverse effects of digitalisation (e.g. inequality, divisions, vulnerability and unemployment). This requires directing the focus on strengthening the human skills and competences that will be needed for a sustainable digital future. Digital technologies should be seen as possibilities, not as necessities. There is a need to call attention to the co-evolutionary processes between humans and emerging digital technologies—that is, the ways in which humans grow up with and live their lives alongside digital technologies. It is imperative to gain in-depth knowledge about the natural ways in which digital technologies are embedded in human everyday lives—for example, how people learn, interact and communicate in remote and hybrid settings or with artificial intelligence; how new digital technologies could be used to support continuous learning and understand learning processes better and how health and well-being can be promoted with the help of new digital solutions. Another significant consideration revolves around the co-creation of our digital futures. Important questions to be asked are as follows: Who are the ones to co-create digital solutions for the future? How can humans and human sciences better contribute to digitalisation and define how emerging technologies shape society and the future? Although academic and business actors have recently fostered inclusion and diversity in their co-creation processes, more must be done. The empowerment of ordinary people to start acting as active makers and shapers of our digital futures is required, as is giving voice to those who have traditionally been silenced or marginalised in the development of digital technology. In the emerging co-creation processes, emphasis should be placed on social sustainability and contextual sensitivity. Such processes are always value-laden and political and intimately intertwined with ethical issues. Constant and accelerating change characterises contemporary human systems, our everyday lives and the environment. Resilience thinking has become one of the major conceptual tools for understanding and dealing with change. It is a multi-scalar idea referring to the capacity of individuals and human systems to absorb disturbances and reorganise their functionality while undergoing a change. Based on the evolving new digital technologies, there is a pressing need to understand how these technologies could be utilised for human well-being, sustainable lifestyles and a better environment. This calls for analysing different scales and types of resilience in order to develop better technology-based solutions for human-centred development in the new digital era. This white paper is a collaborative effort by researchers from six faculties and groups working on questions related to digitalisation at the University of Oulu, Finland. We have identified questions and challenges related to the emerging digital era and suggest directions that will make possible a human-centric digital future and strengthen the competences of humans and humanity in this era