Energy-Efficient IoT and RF-Driven Smart Gateway for Transformer Health Monitoring in Cloud-Connected Power Systems

International Journal of Electronics and Communication Engineering

© 2025 by SSRG - IJECE Journal

Volume 12 Issue 4

Year of Publication : 2025

Authors : Asmita Sharma, R.P.Agarwal, Rajesh Singh

10.14445/23488549/IJECE-V12I4P119

How to Cite?

Asmita Sharma, R.P.Agarwal, Rajesh Singh, "Energy-Efficient IoT and RF-Driven Smart Gateway for Transformer Health Monitoring in Cloud-Connected Power Systems," SSRG International Journal of Electronics and Communication Engineering, vol. 12,  no. 4, pp. 195-203, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488549/IJECE-V12I4P119

Abstract:

Transformers are pivotal components in power distribution for electrical grids as they directly affect the reliability and efficiency of energy delivery. Effective maintenance of transformers decreases energy losses, improves the grid’s reliability, and contributes to sustainable energy management aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. Conventional methods focus on onsite guarantee inspections, showing blind or gut-feeling maintenance, rather than well-defined maintenance management systems. These limitations have triggered the use and development of IoT and wireless technologies for the remote health monitoring of transformers. The authors designed a smart gateway based on LoRa technology that monitors transformers’ health in real-time. The system integrates two hardware nodes. The first one is the Transformer Health Data Collection Node, which collects operational data that include, but are not limited to, voltage, current, temperature, humidity, and vibration through various sensors. The second one is the LoRa Gateway Node, which processes and uploads the information collected to Blynk Cloud. The Blynk Cloud application allows grid operators to visualize the data in real-time, thus enabling prompt attention to maintenance actions and diagnosing faults within the grid. The system was designed to consume low power and transmit data over long distances while providing reliable remote control using LoRa RF and ESP-01 WiFi. This approach resolves issues related to low energy consumption and access limitations while improving the power systems’ monitoring methods. Moreover, with the aid of cloud computing, it is no longer necessary for workers to supervise the site constantly, which improves efficiency and scalability while also lowering costs. This document describes the specifics of system architecture, the design of devices, the communication protocols used for data exchange, and the interface for monitoring the cloud system. These changes in IoT allow for improving the maintenance of transformers, shortening the downtime needed for repairs, and increasing the reliability of the power distribution arteries with thorough data analysis and real-time monitoring.

Keywords:

Transformer Health Monitoring, LoRa RF, Internet of Things, Sustainable Energy Management, Affordable and Clean Energy.

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