A Novel, Self-Powered, Non-Intrusive, Sigfox-Enabled Smart Meter for Challenging Scenarios

In this work, a wireless autonomous power smart metering device is presented. This device is able to measure current at mains electrical lines, exploiting the magnetic field inducted around them as energy harvesting. Therefore, it does not need a dedicated power supply or battery replacement. The electromotive force inducted shall be properly handled to make it suitable to be stored and retrieved from an energy storage element. Since very low power is harvested from the mains magnetic field, a good treatment for the incoming power, as well as a minimal power consumption system are vital. In order to make the system autonomous, wireless communication reliability is a crucial factor. Sigfox is the selected technology as it offers almost out-of-the-box functioning and wide coverage. Proven results based on a constant 15-minute metering period obtaining infinite lifetime are shown, providing an optimal solution for challenging scenarios such as rural areas or developing countries.