Smart House

Kozminski University

Sustainable Development

Smart home/Smart grids/Smart metering systems

Sofiya Lyashchenko

30575

Academic year 2015/2016

I certify that this assignment is my own work, based on my personal study and/or research and that I have acknowledged all material and sources used in its preparation, whether they be books, articles, reports, lecture notes, and any other kind of document, electronic or personal communication.

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© Kozminski University, 2016

Introduction

In the era of advanced technology the theory of cyber-physical systems (CPSs) is developing rapidly. Just as the Internet transformed the way people interact with information, cyber-physical systems are transforming the way people interact with engineered systems. Cyber-physical systems integrate sensing, computation, control and networking into physical objects and infrastructure, connecting them to the Internet and to each other. There are a lot of systems and applications, such as smart grid, automobile systems, medical monitoring, smart metering, which can be installed in order to make our lives easier and more productive.  

A “smart home “ or ‘smart house” is a home that incorporates advanced automation systems to provide the inhabitants with sophisticated monitoring and control over the building's functions. Since “smart home” has been trending during last several years, the idea of green society has developed a lot. On the one hand, people are concerned about popular new technology devices and ideas of making their life more useful and enjoyable.

Regardless of the technology, smart homes present some very exciting opportunities to change the way we live and work, and to reduce energy consumption at the same time. Imagine being able to check messages, open windows, operate lights and curtains and monitor how much money your house has made you from your renewable energy system, through your smart phone, from anywhere in the world.

On the other hand, “smart home” concept is to help people to save energy. Since this system can be considered as an ordinary discussion between a consumer and energy provider, people can easily optimize energy damage through data they get from the system such as amount of kilowatt-hours consumed, price per unit etc.

Even with their innovativeness, these technologies have their advantages and disadvantages for the customer on current market.

Smart Home

Since 2014 over 68% of rich people and 66% of their parents have got excited about the purchase of smart home. Around the half of people interviewed state they plan to purchase at least one smart home product within one year (2015 State of the Smart Home Report).

Unfortunately, the key factor that makes people buy smart home system is not eco-friendliness, but security and convenience. However, a lot of easy-to-use devices, desired by customers, like self-adjusting thermostat help to save money and energy. On this figure you are able to see the most popular smart home devices.

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http://www.4ward-design.com/home-products/

Advantages:

1. Convenience is one of the biggest reasons that people build and purchase smart homes. These homes give users remote access to systems including heating and cooling systems, intercoms, music and multimedia devices throughout the home. Integrated hard drives allow homeowners to watch video or listen to audio in any room; video intercoms make it easy to communicate with others in the home or visitors at the door. All of these smart home technologies streamline common tasks.
2. Security.Smart home security system allow you to view your home no matter where you are .You can have cameras installed ,motion detectors ,locks , etc and you will be notified immediately if something is out of the ordinary.
3. When it comes time to sell a smart home, sellers will have an abundance of effective selling points. Whichever advantage of a smart home appeals to a given buyer, the seller can explain the system and discuss how it makes life easier. Homes with automated systems have the potential to sell for much more than comparable homes with conventional technologies. Automating a home can be a worthwhile investment in increasing its market value and attracting possible buyers in the future.

Disadvantages:

1. The cost of an intelligent home that makes our lives convenient is high because some of the technology is relatively new. In new smart homes, wireless cameras and light sensors, a central touchscreen and automated systems are just a few advances that are standard in a new home. The cost of living expenses such as utilities, maintenance and repair of the technology can be expensive as well.
2. Despite its user-friendliness, sometimes it is hard for digital immigrants (even millennials’ parents) to get used to it;
3. A smart home will be extremely reliant on your internet connection. If your connection drops you’ll be left with a lot of smart products that won’t work. Additionally, wireless signals can possibly be interrupted by other electronics in your home and cause some of your smart products to function slowly or not at all.

Smart Grid

“Smart grid” generally refers to a class of technology people are using to bring utility electricity delivery into the 21st century ,using computer-based remote control and automation. These systems are made possible by two-way communication technology and computer processing that has been used for decades in other industries. They are beginning to be used on electricity networks ,from the power plants and wind farms all the way to the consumers of electricity in homes and businesses .The main idea of this innovation is to make an optimal amount of energy available for the cheapest price at every moment when a customer needs it.