MawsonLakes.Org

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  • Project: Implementation of an OpenADR Infrustructure with RaspberryPi(s)

    Project: Implementation of an OpenADR Infrustructure with RaspberryPi(s)

    A demonstration system is being built for prototyping the OpenADR system using accessible hardware.

    This is a new project fo me, but I have an interest in learning more about how the Electrical Power network works as we have a Grid Connected Solar installation(SMA Sunny Inverter with Blue Tooth interface), and a Clipsal C-Bus home lighting/power control system in the house.

    OpenADR (Open Automatic Demand Response) is a project with the aim of creating an open infrustructure to allow the consumer appliances in power networks to automatically respond to the market,
    including pricing details and peak power periods.

    In Australia, grid connected household solar systems are currently subjected to different mechanisms which impact on their final economic benefit. As well as overall cost, these include ongoing feed-in tarrif rates or restrictions on feed-in power. Add to this the ability to add local power storage via batteries (eg. Tesla Powerwall[2])  and it becomes more essential to control the local power sources and loads.

    Standards exists[3] for controlling appliances, and DRED (Demand Response Enabling Device) incorporates a range of controls for various aA demonstrator system is being built for prototyping the OpenAD system using accessible hardware.ppliance types, and the list of included appliances is expected to grow.

    OpenADR protocols form the communication link beween the power retailer and the DRED enabled appliances, via a consumer smart power controller. This project aims at investigating XMPP as the communication layer between the power retailer and the controller which then implements the control via DRED relay switching and hardware controls.

    Technology being used: RaspberryPi, Linux, Raspbian, Ubuntu Snappy Core, XMPP client, ejabberd. ansible.

    References:
    [1] http://www.opwnadr.org
    [2] Tesla Powerwall – http://www.teslamotors.com/en_AU/powerwall
    [3] AS4755 – Demand Response for Air Conditioners

  • Meet your local State MP – Susan Close

    Susan Close will be visiting the Mawson Lakes Shopping Centre on Sunday, 31 May 2015 – between 10.45 and 11.15 am.

    From the postcard: “Come and talk to me about what you want to see in our area.”

  • The Advertiser – Clothes theft in ram raid

    From the Adevertiser, Saturday, May 9 2015, page 33:

    “Clothes theft in ram raid: A stolen car has been used to ram-raid a Mawson Lakes business.

    Police were called to Main St, about 5am yesterday, after reports of a car reversing into the building. Two men stole the clothes from the business and fled in a white Holdern Commodore, registration VGT-453”

    Link

  • Hosting of New Websites

    MawsonLakes.Org is pleased to announce that we will be hosting two websites for the Mawson Lakes community.

    • Mawson Lakes Community Church
    • Monstersale – A fundraiser for the Mawson Lakes Community Church.

     

  • New websites being hosted

    MawsonLakes.Org is pleased to announce that we will be hosting two additional websites for the Mawson Lakes community.

    • Mawson Lakes Community Church (mlcc.com.au)
    • Monstersale (monstersale.mawsonlakes.org) – A fundraiser for the Mawson Lakes Community Church

    These sites are currently under development.

  • New Website for MawsonLakes.Org

    Greetings gentle readers.

    Welcome to the new 2014 website for MawsonLakes.Org. After several years away from the Internet, we have returned with a brand new website, with the aim of promoting all things Mawson Lakes, and anything else that may be of interest to the Mawson Lakes community

  • My Anderson Powerpole Connector crisis is over..

    My Anderson Powerpole Connector crisis is over..

    After forking out $5 for a single set of Anderson Powerpole Connectors from Jaycar I thought that I would bite the bullet and purchase enough from the US supplier so I wouldn’t have to worry about this any more.

    The above photo shows the connectors in groups of ten, so I could easily count them. I purchased 100 sets from Powerwerx at $0.87 each including shipping, just in time for the Amateur Radio John Moyle Field day.

  • Box for Huxley Reprap

    Box for Huxley Reprap

    I have been involved in constructing a couple of Huxley Repraps, purchased from RepRapPro as kits. One is for myself and the other is one for the Adelaide HackerSpace. (The plastic parts distributed in the kits were created on other RepRaps.)

    In order to be able to design things to print I am going to have to get my head around using CAD. FreeCAD looks like it will do most of the things that I need a CAD program to do, so I have spent a some time learning how to use it by drawing up a box that can be used to store, carry and display the finished Huxleys.

    It is a 32cm cube, to be made out of 9mm MDF, with rebated joints (glue and nail).

    The Huxley will be bolted to the base with the box fitting over the top, similar to a sewing machine case I once saw. A method for keeping the base attached to the box has yet to be sorted out, although a sash-clamp/tie-down appears to be the easiest solution.

    The inside dimensions are 302x302x302 where the Huxley (according to my measurements) is 295mm high.  Everything should fit… but I need to measure the other dimensions and adjust accordingly… 320mm was a nice initial number to work with.

    I haven’t figured out a way to make the circular cuts with the CAD program, so the handle slots are all square.

    Update: The box ended up being 360mm square.

     

  • Powering the OLPC XO-1

    Powering the OLPC XO-1

    Another device that I thought would be worth trying out with the generator is the laptop from the One Person Per Laptop project, the XO-1.

    I have been fortunate and have acquired two of these XO-1’s (sparky and sparks). Both of them were pre-release versions and have been superseded in various ways, but they still attach attention when brought out on display. Kid’s just love them.

    Both XO’s were able to be run via the inverter from their charge packs. (One of them has an issue with it’s battery taking a charge, which is why it is off in the photo.)

    When I get some more Anderson connectors I’ll look at how they go when connected directly to the 12v-14v supply.

  • First Power Generation Application

    First Power Generation Application

    I didn’t have any luck finding my 240V inverter, but I was able to borrow one from a friend (in exchange for fitting it with an Anderson Powerpole connector.)

    So, you have a peddle powered generator.. what’s the first application or device that can be tested with his new power source? Being Australian and and an Amateur Radio operator, the first device had to be a radio. (For overseas readers, Australia has a proud history of peddle powered radios, which together with the Flying Doctor service, brought emergency healthcare to the centre of Australia.)

    The second application was therefor a peddle powered television.

    The small television did not have a rating listed on it anywhere, but after peddling for 30 minues or so, while catching up on the evening news, I would say that it is about 25 or 30W. It is uncertain what the efficiency of the inverter is at this stage.

    I see this setup quickly becoming a core part of my exercise program.