IoT-Based Real-Time Energy Monitoring System for ELVIRO EV

The Shell Eco-marathon (SEM) and the Kompetisi Mobil Hemat Energi (KMHE) are prestigious competitions that challenge engineering students to design, test, and operate vehicles with maximum energy efficiency. As agents of change, students are encouraged to actively address the global energy crisis, particularly in Indonesia. The team from Politeknik Elektronika Negeri Surabaya (PENS), known as the Chapens team, saw the value of these competitions as an opportunity for learning. They made the decision to join in order to apply project-based learning principles to their ELVIRO electric vehicle (EV) prototype concept. Optimizing driving behavior and developing effective driving strategies are crucial for improving energy efficiency. Significant advancements in Internet of Things (IoT) technology facilitate the interconnection of various devices, playing a vital role in addressing issues in electric vehicles (EVs). The Chapens team has developed an IoT-based real-time energy monitoring system for the ELVIRO EV, enabling real-time monitoring and data analysis to optimize driving strategies. This system provides significant advantages in EV management during competitions by allowing drivers and team members to access energy and vehicle parameters from any location. The system includes a lithium-ion battery, a BLDC motor controlled by a motor controller unit (MCU), and sensors for precise current and voltage measurements for energy calculation. The ESP32 microcontroller communicates with the MCU and sends the collected data to the cloud for real-time monitoring. Tested at KMHE 2023, the ELVIRO EV with this system achieved high accuracy in energy measurement and proved to help formulate driving strategies to improve energy efficiency. Insights from the Chapens team's implementation provide a valuable case study for future advancements in this field.