Intelligent Energy Saving System using Real-Time Moving Object Detection and Microcontroller Unit

Abstract

An intelligent Energy Saving System is a technologically advanced system that combines hardware and software to perceive and interact with the physical environment for saving electrical energy. Many times, students and teachers leave the classroom without switching off the lights and fans, thus electricity is wasted. This paper assesses the number of instances in a week the lights and fans are switched ON without room occupants in the 14 classrooms of the Achievers and Founders Buildings at the University of Bohol. Moreover, this paper gives importance to energy conservation inside the classroom by way of developing and recommending an automated energy-saving system that utilizes a real-time moving object detection approach and microcontroller unit to sense and control objects in the classroom focusing on the automatic control of lights and fans to reduce energy consumption. The study employed the developmental research method and applied a quantitative approach utilizing the direct and structured observation method in gathering the data. Frequency and ranking were the data treatment used for the data collected. The findings of this study revealed that there are at least 25 times in a week where the lights were left ON and at least 55 times in a week where the fans were left ON without anyone in the classroom. The proposed intelligent energy-saving system has favorable and consistent laboratory results wherein it was shown that the system can detect human presence and control the operation of the fans and lights. Through this system, the authors wish to contribute to minimizing electricity consumption and helping academic institutions save on their electricity bills.