Integrating Constrained MQTT Devices into IoT Platforms for Smart Local Energy Communities

Abstract

In order to achieve energy flow optimization, Energy Communities have to rely on real-time measuring data that is usually provided by so-called Internet of Things (IoT) platforms. Constrained devices are especially difficult to integrate into these frameworks, because of their limited configuration options. In this paper, we propose a system design that uses principles from the Web of Things (WoT) and the Sparkplug specification to accomplish a higher level of interoperability. The proposed system design facilitates the integration of constrained MQTT devices into a standardized and normalized topic and payload structure. Furthermore, it is capable of augmenting constrained devices to support state management through birth and death certificate messages. As a proof of concept, the integration into the IoT platform FIWARE is demonstrated.