Self-powered MEMS sensor module for measuring electrical quantities in residential, commercial, distribution and transmission power systems

Ongoing initiatives for energy conservation present the need for ubiquitous sensing of electrical power use in residential and commercial settings. Inexpensive and massively distributed electrical sensors installed in power distribution and transmission systems will enable collection of highly granular information regarding the operation of the power grid. Incorporated into the upcoming Smart Grid infrastructure, we envision this data-collecting capability to enhance the overall stability of the grid, as well as improve its diagnostic capabilities. In this paper, we present our ongoing work towards developing self-powered MEMS sensor modules that can be installed in both residential and commercial settings, as well as in power distribution and transmission systems. The sensor modules will measure electrical quantities such as voltage, current and instantaneous power using a suite of MEMS sensors, and will scavenge the energy needed for their operation from the current flowing in the energized conductor onto which they are attached.