A development kit based on the ESP32S3 N16R8 DEV KIT C1 for energy management systems (EMS) with support for various communication protocols and peripherals.
It enables distributed management of a micro-grid energy assets such as meters, sensors, and invertors with choice of communication protocols like MQTT and low-cost, off-the-shelf hardware. MeshEMS is the combined open source hardware and software contributed under this repository. The EMS Dev Kit publishes using OpenAMI schema to public.cloud.shiftr.io to openami MQTT topic.
This development kit supports multiple peripherals using the Arduino and scalable Platformio frameworks:
- RS-485 MODBUS RTU communication
- CANBUS V2.0 interface via SPI
- Input buttons (using voltage divider array on analog GPIO)
- 1.3in OLED Dispay over SPI (SH1106)
- Secure WiFi/BLE on demand for 2way Energy OPENAMI over MQTT
- Processor: Xtensa® dual-core 32-bit LX7 microprocessor, up to 240 MHz
- Memory: 16MB Flash + 8MB PSRAM (N16R8 variant)
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 5 (LE)
- USB: USB OTG interface with Type-C connector
- GPIO: 45 programmable GPIO pins
- Dimensions: 51mm x 25.5mm x 10mm
- 42 pins via 2 x 21pin rails
- Operating Voltage: 3.3V
- Datasheet: ESP32S3 Technical Reference Manual
- Development Board Datasheet: ESP32S3-DevKitC-1 N16R8 Datasheet
- 1U includes ufl connector for an optional external antenna
- Industry-standard RS-485 interface for MODBUS RTU communication
- Built-in transceiver with automatic direction control
- 3-pin screw terminal for easy connection (A, B, GND)
- Supports baud rates up to 115200 bps
- Operating voltage: 5V (level-shifted from ESP32-S3 at 3.3V)
- Module Datasheet: RS-485 Transceiver Datasheet
- CAN 2.0B compliant controller and transceiver
- Supports standard (11-bit) and extended (29-bit) identifiers
- Maximum bitrate: 1 Mbit/s
- Screw terminals for CANH and CANL connections
- Integrated termination resistors (jumper selectable)
- Controller Datasheet: MCP2515 CAN Controller
- Transceiver Datasheet: TJA1051 CAN Transceiver
- BLE/BLE Mesh: Utilizing ESP32S3's built-in Bluetooth capabilities
- Ethernet 100 BT Wiznet 5500/6100 off-the-shelf open-source addon module
- Bring your own LTE CAT M1 or LORA MESH modem via SPI or Serial
- using Wifi or Ethernet or other TCP/IP networking options, the locally networked DER Modbus Master lan side interfaces are terminated and adapted into lightweight MQTT pub/sub
- A local data model cached as the Modbus ports may be scanned at subsecond rates, for example, whereas the MQTT published energy telemetry may be at 30-second or minute intervals or varied based on meaningful data event triggers.
- A return /cmd path is supported for remote backend, nearby aggregation policy-maker or adjacent streetpoleEMS nodes to issue policy energy enforcement TOD schedule updates
- The OpenAMi published tuples format is encoded for now in the in line mqttclient methods. OPENAMI publish format includes, but is not limited to
- totalized per phase 3 phase subpanel current, voltage and energy and power readings, configurable interval rate
- totalized per tenant single-phase current, voltage and energy and power readings, configurable interval rate
- active leakage detection currents and actionable faults using a Modbus RCM device per phase, or per tenant, or a mix, configurable interval rate
- active harmonics individual levels and THD totals per phase, configurable interval rate
- local cabinet subpanel alarms and environmental conditions report, configurable interval rate
- future options for on-demand audio/visual one way and two way unified communication options. - street image and audio snippets - glass break, scream, or gunshot detection/isolation
- Button Array Interface: Analog input with voltage divider network
- Display: Optional 1.3" OLED display (SPI interface)
- https://wiki.keyestudio.com/index.php/Ks0056_keyestudio_1.3%22_128x64_OLED_Graphic_Display
- Expansion Headers: Breakout area is available on the perfboard to allow for use of the remaining GPIO pins
- Solid State Relays: Multiple (per tenant) 2A SSR (Solid State Relay) opto isolated zero crossing triac for AC per tenant contactor control, for example
- An SSR, for example, can be used to software trigger a larger normally closed or normally open per-tenant contactor and/or 3-phase transfer switch
- https://datasheet.octopart.com/G3MB-202PEG-4-DC20MA-Omron-datasheet-111010.pdf
- USB Power: 5V via USB Type-C connector
- DC Power: 5VDC via screw terminals to on board, connects directly to 5VIN of ESP32 (5V input MAX).
- AC Power:
⚠️ 120/240VAC 50/60 hz input via screw terminals on board to power supply.
This development kit includes a connection for AC power input. When working with AC power (especially 120V/240V mains voltage):
- Professional Installation Required: All AC power connections MUST be installed by a qualified electrician in accordance with local electrical codes and regulations.
- Enclosure Mandatory: When used with AC power connections, the device MUST be mounted in an appropriate, non-conductive enclosure with restricted access.
- Safety Precautions:
- ALWAYS disconnect AC power before making any changes to the wiring
- NEVER touch any AC terminals or components when power is connected
- Ensure proper grounding of all components
- Install appropriate circuit protection (fuses, breakers)
- Keep AC and DC/logic circuits strictly separate Not UL/CE Certified for AC Applications: This development kit by itself is NOT certified for direct connection to AC mains.
- PCB Dimensions: 100mm x 75mm (main board)
- Mounting: 4x M3 mounting holes (3.2mm diameter)
- A computer with an internet connection
- EMS Dev kit hardware
- USB-C data-rated cable for connecting the development board to your computer
- Download Visual Studio Code from https://code.visualstudio.com/
- Follow the installation instructions for your operating system:
- Windows: Run the installer and follow the prompts
- macOS: Drag the application to your Applications folder
- Open VSCode
- Click on the Extensions icon in the left sidebar (or press Ctrl+Shift+X)
- Search for "PlatformIO IDE"
- Click "Install" on the PlatformIO IDE extension
- Wait for the installation to complete (this may take a few minutes)
- Restart VSCode when prompted
- Open a terminal/command prompt
- Navigate to the directory where you want to store the project
- Clone the repository using git:
git clone https://github.com/nesl-admin/ems-dev.git
- In VSCode, click on the PlatformIO icon in the left sidebar
- Select "Open Project" from the PlatformIO home screen
- Navigate to the cloned repository folder and select it
- Wait for VSCode to load the project and initialize PlatformIO
- Wait for PlatformIO to download all required dependencies (libraries) IMPORTANT: Set the environment to ESP32S3 N16R8 DEV KIT C
- Open the platformio.ini file in the project root
- Make sure the environment section contains [env:esp32s3_n16r8] or similar
- If not, add or modify the environment section to match the ESP32S3 N16R8 DEV KIT C
- Connect your ESP32S3 DEV KIT to your computer via USB-C
- In VSCode, click on the PlatformIO icon in the left sidebar
- Select "Project Tasks" from the menu
- Under "General", click "Build" to compile the project
- After successful build, click "Upload" to flash the firmware to your device
- Monitor the progress in the terminal window at the bottom of VSCode
- If you encounter upload errors, ensure that:
- The correct USB port is selected (can be changed in platformio.ini)
- You have proper USB drivers installed for your development board
- Your board is in bootloader mode (if required)
- Check the PlatformIO documentation for additional help: https://docs.platformio.org/
These challenges focus on Sunspec self-certification readiness for Modbus/Canbus IWF hubcore functions:
- Sunspec BESS Gridtie Battery Modbus register support
- Sunspec Gridtie Inverter Modbus register support
- Sunspec Gridtie Solar Controller Modbus register support
- Sol-Ark Modbus LAN side R/W transcoder (converts to Sunspec Inverter Modbus formats)
- Custom BMS, Inverter, Solar/Wind controller Modbus RTU plugins
- Behind-the-Meter OPENAMI bidirectional monitor and control PUB/SUB framework
- "Plug-in Solar" device plugin
- AC Energy Meter plugins (Single Phase, Split Phase, Three Phase)
- VFD Modbus RTU plugin
- Energy IoT device plugin
- Z-wave Plus IoT device interoperability plugin
- Front-of-Meter OPENAMI bidirectional monitor and control PUB/SUB framework
- StreetPoleEMS MESH distributed intelligence Pub/Sub networking
- FLEXMEASURES layering export for ESP32S3
- EMS MESH networking to N:1 StreetPole Linux Aggregator with distributed AI Energy Policy
- IVY Metering Bidirectional AC/DC powerflow RCD and RVD detection
- Donsun DLMS/STS prepaid meter integration
- Donsun postpaid meter integration
- IVY Metering AC/DC meter prepaid/postpaid integration (DLMS/STS)
- AC Energy Meter plugins (Single Phase, Split Phase, Three Phase)
- Bidirectional AC/DC powerflow RCD and RVD leakage detection
- EVSE AC/DC Charge/Discharge controller plugins
- VFD Modbus RTU plugin
- Energy IoT device plugin
- ENACCESS OPEN SMART METER libraries for Paygo Dongle support
- OPENPLC integration with IFTTT Rules engine and Modbus PLC endpoint support
- 18650 battery backup with state persistence to flash memory
- RTC clock with sleep and deep sleep power management
- Ethernet MAC/PHY WAN/LAN dual port
- BLE mesh LAN networking
- G3 ALLIANCE RF+PLC MAC/PHY module for WAN/LAN mesh networking
- LR BLE mesh WAN networking
- LORA Meshtastic LAN/WAN networking
- LORAWAN WAN connectivity
- LTE CATM1 global SIM/eSIM radio module
- Starlink MAC/PHY WWAN radio module integration
The code challenges listed above will be covered during the Port Labs workshop. Participants can choose challenges from either Lane A or Lane B based on their interests and requirements.
Feel free to suggest additional integration ideas via a pull request or contribute to existing challenges.