Low-Cost NB-IoT Microgrid Power Quality Monitoring System

For small to medium-sized renewable energy dependent microgrids, large imbalances between generated and consumed electricity exist. These fluctuations coupled with other operational constraints result in distortion of the power quality, resulting in frequent power outages. To address this problem, the microgrids must be real-time monitored at distributed locations by cost-effective, high accuracy, responsive systems in order to respond quickly to imbalances. In this paper a low-cost wireless power quality monitoring system based on Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) technology is implemented. The system includes the monitoring PCB assembled at Paderborn University, management portal and enables various micro-grid functions via a remote server.