Turn ESP32 Into a Smart Energy Meter with Home Assistant Integration

I’ve always been a bit obsessed with data, especially when it comes to understanding my home’s energy consumption. After getting hit with a surprisingly high electricity bill last winter, I decided it was time to stop guessing and start measuring. Commercial smart plugs with energy monitoring are great, but what if you want to monitor a whole circuit, like your kitchen or workshop? That’s when I decided to turn an ESP32 into a smart energy meter.