This page outlines the required specs for the 296 sensor box projects.

A microgrid is a localized power grid that allows for the integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind. Renewable energy sources are intermittent, which may cause issues when integrating them on a large scale. Electric companies must account for periods when energy generation and consumption are not equal to prevent the grid from failing. To address this issue, predictions related to the renewable energy source can be used to prepare for upcoming weather.

This sensor box collects data which will be used to forecast solar irradiation patterns. These patterns will be used to determine optimal places to install PV for the microgrid. Live forecasts may also be used by the electric company to account for upcoming weather.

• Sensor box must collect solar irradiance, temperature, humidity, and pressure data.
• Sensor box must utilize solar energy.
• Sensor box must function properly for 2 days without sunlight.
• Sensor box must relay data wirelessly to a base node.
• Sensor box must relay data in the provided format once per minute.
• Sensor box must be self contained.
• Sensor box housing must be able to be secured in the area that it is deployed in.
• Sensor box housing must be waterproof.
• Sensor box housing must be designed in such a way that the internals can be accessed with relative ease.
• Sensor box must be designed in such a way that the internals can be powered down with relative ease.

• Microprocessor: Atmel Atmega328P
• Transciever: XBee Pro Series 2b - RPSMA
• Antennae: 2.4 GHz RP-SMA Duck Antennae
• Charging Circuit: Adafruit 390
• Solar Panel: Adafruit 1525
• Battery: Tenergy 18650 3.7V 6600mAh
• Solar Irradiance Sensor: Apogee SP-215
• Temperature Sensor: Maxim DS18B20
• Humidity Sensor: Sensirion SHT11
• Pressure Sensor: Adafruit BMP-180

• microprocessor:
  • 1 10k Ohm resistor
  • 16 MHz clock crystal
  • 2 22 pF capacitors

• humidity sensor:
  • 1 4.7k Ohm resistor
• temperature sensor:
  • 1 4.7k Ohm resistor

• 3.3V Voltage Regulator: Micrel mic5219
  • 2 10 uF capacitors
  • 1 10 uF capacitor
• On/Off switch: Skyworks 202229A
  • 1 10k resistor
  • 1 1 uF capacitor
  • 1 0.1 uF capacitor
• Boost Converter: Semiconductor NCP1402-D

• XBee headers
• Microprocessor headers
• barrel jack (charging board and solar panel use different sizes)

• housing materials

• A breadboard
• 22 AWG wire
• Mini USB cable
• FTDI Converter (note: XBee must use softserial)

• Barebones Arduino:
  • 2 220 Ohm resistors
  • 2 10 uF capacitors
  • 2 LEDs
  • small momentary normally open (“off”) button, i.e. Omron type B3F
  • 7805 Voltage regulator (or any other 5v regulator)
  • other parts listed under microcontroller

• XBee:
  • XBee usb explorer
  • XBee breakout board (or something similar)

Contributing authors:

Created by zdorman on 2016/01/04 08:35.