Implementation of a remote monitoring System for Electric Vehicle chargers.

Abstract

The transition to electric mobility has gained significant momentum globally as a key strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving sustainable transportation. In Uganda, the introduction of electric vehicles (EVs), particularly through initiatives such as Kiira Motors Corporation’s electric bus deployment, has highlighted the urgent need for supportive infrastructure, particularly reliable and intelligent EV charging sys tems. However, current EV chargers in Uganda lack remote monitoring capabilities, relying on manual inspection methods that are time-consuming, prone to delays in fault detection, and inefficient in managing energy consumption and charger availability. This project presents the design and implementation of a cost-effective, scalable, and real-time remote monitoring system for EV chargers using accessible, locally available components. The system integrates multiple sensors to monitor AC and DC voltage, cur rent, power output, and temperature. Data is transmitted to the ThingSpeak IoT platform via a GPRS module for remote visualization and analysis. Real-time alerts for critical conditions such as over-temperature, short circuits, and open circuit faults are sent to ad ministrators through SMS and phone calls. The system also incorporates a safety relay to disconnect the charger during fault scenarios, ensuring both equipment protection and user safety. The methodology involved stakeholder consultations to identify infrastructure gaps, ex tensive literature review to benchmark global solutions, system architecture develop ment, simulation using Proteus software, and the physical prototyping of the monitoring unit. Testing involved component-level validation, integration testing, and simulated fault scenarios to assess the responsiveness and robustness of the system. Results confirmed the system’s ability to accurately measure key electrical parameters, detect anomalies, and trigger alerts with minimal delay. Graphical data from the ThingS peak dashboard illustrated trends in voltage, current, and temperature during various charging cycles. The prototype effectively addressed the need for real-time monitoring and fault management while remaining cost-effective and adaptable for Uganda’s devel oping EV ecosystem. The success of this project demonstrates the potential for deploying smart monitoring systems in resource-constrained environments to support the safe, efficient, and scalable growth of EV infrastructure. The system serves as a foundation for future enhancements, including integration with mobile applications, advanced analytics, and smart grid com munication.