Design and Implementation of an Automated Smart Home Energy Management System Using ZigBee Networks

International Journal of Computer Science and Technology | Vol. 12, No. 12, December 2010 | pp. 83–89
DOI: 10.46882/2010/IJCST/000106

Research Article

Title: Design and Implementation of an Automated Smart Home Energy Management System Using ZigBee Networks

Names of Authors: Marcus E. Vance¹, Sarah J. Connor²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Austin, USA; ²Smart Systems Engineering Group, Melbourne, Australia

Abstract: Rising global energy costs and carbon footprint considerations require residential infrastructure to implement smart power management schemes. This paper develops a hardware and software prototype for an Automated Smart Home Energy Management System (ASHEMS) built upon IEEE 802.15.4/ZigBee wireless mesh networks. The infrastructure links multiple end-node microcontrollers connected to domestic appliances to monitor instant voltage, current, and real power consumption values. A central home gateway running an embedded Linux kernel collects data over the air and executes a priority-based load shedding algorithm during peak pricing intervals. Experimental results across a 30-day domestic deployment showed an average reduction of 18.6% in total electrical energy consumption. Peak demand overheads dropped by 31.2% through scheduled deferment of heavy thermal loads (such as water heaters and air conditioning units). The ZigBee mesh protocol maintained a robust packet reception rate of 98.4% across a 50-meter indoor range, successfully traversing brick partitions and defeating 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi interference. The system's passive power consumption remained negligible at less than 1.2 Watts, confirming its viability as an eco-efficient deployment for residential automation.

Keywords: Smart Home, ZigBee Network, Energy Management, Embedded Systems, Load Shedding, Automation

Manuscript Timeline: Received August 11, 2010; Revised September 19, 2010; Accepted October 03, 2010; Published December 15, 2010.

Citation: Vance, E. M., & Connor, J. S. (2010). Design and Implementation of an Automated Smart Home Energy Management System Using ZigBee Networks. International Journal of Computer Science and Technology, 12(12), 83–89.

Subscribe to read the full article: https://www.internationalscholarsjournals.org/subscribe-to-read