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PowerController Application

The Power Controller is a Python-based automation tool that schedules and controls a power loads based on electricity pricing and a wide variety of user-configurable parameters and triggers.

Features

  • Multiple output devices supported.
  • Integrate with Amber Electric so that you can run a device (e.g. a pool pump) at the lowest possible rates.
  • Supports switched outputs and meter only outputs.
  • Integration with multiple Tesla vehicles to report on charging costs.
  • Integrates with the majority of Shelly smart switches and energy meters to control and monitor you electrical devices.
  • Dynamic Scheduling: Adjusts device operation based on real-time electricity prices.
  • Normal scheduling: Turn devices on / off based on a time of day / day of week schedule, including support for dusk / dawn triggers. Schedule can be used for fall back if Amber pricing unavailable. Multiple schedules available.
  • Override the output state using the webapp or an input line on a Shelly device.
  • Support for complex output change sequences (e.g. turn on switch 1, wait for 20 seconds, turn on switch 2).
  • Web app to view the current state of each device and manually override if needed.
  • Integrate with a UPS and control and output based on the UPS's "health".
  • Historical Tracking: Maintains past days of device runtime to optimize future scheduling.
  • Integrates with the PowerControllerViewer app so that you can view and chart status and history of all your output devices and meters.
  • Integrate with multiple temperature probes. Switch an output based on temperature thresholds.
  • Set minimum, preferred and maximum operating times per day. Actual operating times are controlled by electicity prices and/or a predefined schedule.
  • Vary preferred operating times each month (e.g. run your pool pump for longer in the summer).
  • Email notification for critical errors and excess eneegy usage.
  • Integration with the BetterStack uptime for heatbeat monitoring.

Installation and Configuration Guide

The pages below will walk you through the process of installing and configuring the PowerController application.