University of South Africa
Overview of innovation

This invention presents a plug-and-play energy management system designed for South African households, integrating Internet of Things (IoT) controls, opto-isolation, and delayed switching technology. It enables automated, safe, and intelligent switching between grid power and local renewable energy sources using optical coupling to prevent damage and power surges. It also allows for external control of load distribution to optimise household energy use and manage loads across municipal regions. The technology is also adaptable for water management networks and larger grid islanding applications. 

Type of Intellectual Property protection
Patent
Innovation Opportunity Type
Investment
Partnership
Industry
​Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply
Electricty, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply
Technology Readiness Level
TRL 5 – Prototype tested in a controlled environment
Website link
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Research-&-Innovation/Innovation,-Technology-Transfer-and-Commercialisation