I’d like to share my work on CERBO GX with Node-RED, which allowed me to fully automate and optimize the operation of my power plant. I undertook this project to maximize energy efficiency and protect the household electrical system from overloads. This project has taken me hundreds of hours of work and tuning to get every detail just right. Here’s a summary of the main features I have implemented:
Automatic Control of Electric Car Charging
The system automatically manages electric car charging based on the current load of the house, to prevent overloading the main circuit breaker. The charging current is dynamically adjusted to maintain stable household operation. Moreover, the car only charges during cheap-rate periods, which significantly reduces operating costs.
Automatic Control of Household Appliances
Another key part of my system is the optimization of large household appliances. The water heater and heat pump automatically switch on during off-peak hours to make the most of cheaper electricity, thereby minimizing heating costs.
Battery Charging and Discharging Based on Electricity Prices
The system also manages the battery to charge during cheaper periods and discharge when electricity is more expensive, to meet the household’s needs. In this way, I aim to take full advantage of electricity price fluctuations on the market and manage energy as efficiently as possible.
The entire system is capable of operating in island mode, ensuring independence from the distribution grid if needed. My goal was to create an intelligent, self-sufficient system that efficiently manages energy consumption and production, while ensuring comfortable and stable power supply to my household.
Below, I have attached some screenshots of my system’s visualization, showing, for example, the current power distribution, battery status, electric car charging control, and usage during cheaper hours.
This project took a lot of time and effort to develop, but I am proud of the results, which allow me to use electricity more efficiently and sustainably.
Milan