Smart and flexible customised energy management.
The Smappee Infinity system allows users to further optimise their energy consumption. The perfectly thought-out modularity ensures you can always adapt energy management to your own needs. Communication is the key word here. In this blog post, we will tell you which cloud communication modules are available and what their possibilities are.
Two own gateways for customised energy management.
A gateway is required between the actors in the energy system and the Smappee Cloud, that provides the necessary cloud communication and coordination between all connected devices. Through this gateway, the smart control of buildings becomes a reality and energy management can be perfectly streamlined. Smappee developed two gateways – Genius and Connect – each of which is tailored to a specific user profile. These communication modules are compatible with common communication protocols and process data securely via Ethernet, Wi-Fi or optionally via 3G/4G.
Smappee Genius.
The Genius is the first communication Smappee module we introduce. This module can process data from a wide range of sources: measurement data via CT power measurements and Rogowski coils, data about temperatures, gas and water from the Smappee Input module and data from Smappee switch to name but a few. With this latter smart plug you can for instance measure the consumption of devices and then control them based on a trigger or easily turn devices on or off via the app.
The Smappee Genius can interact with third-party components. For this purpose, a Smappee Output module is provided that has 2 relays. This allows simple commands to be passed on to external devices. For example, activating the lighting on the basis of the information from sensors, switching a heat pump to the optimal working state via the relay, formulating commands to process excess solar energy or controlling an electric boiler.
The Genius can also be linked to third-party applications via an interface with the cloud. The modules are standard equipped to communicate via MQTT, which is the standard protocol for Internet of Things applications. External devices that also communicate via MQTT can use the Smappee data or in turn control the Smappee Switch or the output module. For example, KNX integrators that use MQTT on their components. You can easily control these devices via the function blocks from Automations within Home Assistant, without additional specific programming. It is even possible to control devices with Google Assistant and Siri via the Smart devices and Scenes in the Smappee App.
Smappee Connect.
Connect is the second available gateway between monitoring system and cloud and works via Ethernet or Wi-Fi. It also has a variant that communicates via 4G or Wi-Fi (4G Connect) or via Wi-Fi only (Wi-Fi Connect). Smappee Connect is equipped to perform basic tasks and is a cost-effective alternative to the Smappee Genius.
The system only transfers data and does not offer control or load balancing functions, but it is an efficient way to add intelligence to your Infinity system in an accessible way. Just like the Genius, Connect can process data from current measurements and Rogowski coils and can retrieve data from the Cloud via Rest API. It can also read a MID energy meter. Unlike the Genius, Connect does not have a local MQTT interface. The device can therefore not be used for KNX and other integrations. Connect does have a REST function and uses MQTT via the Home Assistant link. So there is no difference to monitor data, but unlike the Genius, Connect cannot control the Switch and the Output module.
Are you still unsure about which gateway you should choose in your situation for customised energy management? Check out the technical specifications, fill in the Smappee configurator or register for one of our training courses!
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