Design and simulation of an IoT-enabled Bi-directional energy meter for grid-connected photovoltaic systems

This study addresses the limitations of conventional unidirectional energy meters in grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, which are unable to accurately account for bidirectional power flow in modern prosumer environments. Existing approaches often treat energy metering, grid synchronization, and system monitoring as separate functionalities, resulting in limited integration and reduced effectiveness in smart grid applications. This research presents the design and simulation of a three-phase, grid-connected bi-directional energy metering system developed within the MATLAB/Simulink environment. The proposed framework integrates a PV generation model, a grid-synchronized inverter employing phase-locked loop (PLL) control, and an LCL filter for harmonic mitigation. A computational metering algorithm based on instantaneous power theory is implemented to distinguish and accumulate imported and exported energy in real time. Simulation studies were conducted under dynamic operating conditions involving transitions between net-import and net-export modes. Results demonstrate that the system accurately tracks bidirectional energy flow, correctly registering energy exchange across both operating states while maintaining stable system response during power flow reversals. The model also exhibits effective transient behavior, with fast stabilization following changes in load and generation conditions.  The results provide a validated baseline for further development of intelligent metering systems and support the advancement of smart grid–compatible energy management solutions.