Informetis

Contact: yuichi.abe@informetis.com

2021 Discussion

José Alcalá, Head of Data Science Team,

Boruo Xu (Bono), Head of Data Solutions Team,

A keystone in the transformation to Smart Grids is the synergy between solar panels and batteries. This is a complex task that heavily depends on the weather, energy tariff and human stochastic behaviour. Informetis is an AI energy start up company that aims to empower the user in the Digital Transformation of electricity data. We propose the implementation of an Artificial Intelligent Agent capable of deploying the best strategy for charging and discharging of domestic batteries. This will aid the user to select the correct battery size to maximise household energy bill savings. Thus a communication channel, such as a native or web based app, needs to be opened with the user. The project is suitable for a team of 6 people and it might be divided into three modules: Machine Learning strategy for battery control, 2 people; backend to support communication with the cloud, 2 people; and front-end interface to show results to the users and, potentially, receive feedback, 2 people. Informetis will provide historical household power consumption and historical household solar generation for a set of houses. We are hoping to use the tool that you develop to showcase to stakeholders as a demonstration of smart energy technology.

Feedback:

I can see that implementing an algorithm to optimise battery selection would be an important problem, but unfortunately our students are not taught any topics relevant to battery technology, so would have to treat the battery as a black box. My own estimate is that, if you had a suitable training dataset, then implementing a machine learning algorithm to solve this task on a black box basis might only take an hour or two using Keras and TensorFlow (perhaps followed by a few more hours playing with hyperparameters).

A p2p energy trading system sounds more appropriate. Here are a few examples of previous projects that involved the implementation of market or trading systems.

https://wiki.cam.ac.uk/cl-design-projects/Trading_Assistant https://wiki.cam.ac.uk/cl-design-projects/Fly-past_Finance https://wiki.cam.ac.uk/cl-design-projects/AI_racing_market https://wiki.cam.ac.uk/cl-design-projects/Scrobble_Exchange:_A_massively_multiplayer_game

2020 Project

Client: José Alcalá <jose.alcala@informetis.com>

Proposal awaiting finalisation:

Activity Analysis based on Smart Meter data

A rapidly aging population means assisted living is fast becoming a major societal challenge. To support “Carers” assisting “Carees”, local technology company Informetis provides smart sensors installed in the fuse-box that determine if household appliances are ON/OFF. As routines are typically closely related to appliance use, this proxies for inhabitants' wellness. Your task is to create an app for carers to support householders when they struggle to perform daily routines. You may choose focus on detection of activities from the raw data, or the interaction design challenges of choosing what should be communicated to the carer and when.

Past Years

2020 project: Activity Analysis based on Smart Meter data

2019 suggestion: Activity Recognition and Analysis based on Smart Meter Data

2018 project: Energy Budget

2017 offer: Energy with Social Conscience

2017 suggestions:

Smart Homes and IoT

The Internet of Things (IoT) is now almost mainstream. There are a lot of internet-enable devices such as smart sensors, connected appliances, connected medical appliances and of course smart phones. These devices are all constantly generating big data dependent on individual lifestyles. In particular, smart homes are increasingly a growing topic of interest amongst IoT technologies. Informetis, provides a cloud based service which, through the use of a ‘single clamp’ sensor, provides consumers with an ‘itemised view’ of their electricity bill. In other words, the Informetis solution can transform ordinary and ‘non-connected’ appliances such as fridges, washing machines and microwaves into ‘virtual’ smart appliances. Your task is to design and implement an application which complements the itemised power consumption data (that we will provide) with other 3rd party data such as temperature, personal information and social demographics data to make the combined user experience more useful and fun. Your ultimate goal is to make the user far more engaged with their energy consumption than they are today!

Alternative

When electrical appliances "waste" electricity, they convert it into heat. The irony is that if you "save" energy by switching off a TV or lightbulb, you then have to switch on a heater to stay warm! Since heating accounts for most energy use in the UK, The only really effective way to save energy at home is to turn the thermostat down. But nobody likes to be cold. You have a business opportunity to compete with an incredibly successful Internet of Things product - the "Nest" intelligent thermostat. Instead of wasting energy on toasty houses, your product will help customers stay warm for free by regulating your own comfort. Monitor humidity, differential airspeed etc to maintain comfort by putting on suitable clothes, eating hot food or even going to bed.