Home energy management networks: how should they be controlled?

Realizing full benefits from a smart grid ultimately means controlling devices in customers’ homes, businesses, and other facilities. But who should exercise that control, and how?

My esteemed colleague, Harvey Michaels, stays young by examining the questions raised by how technology is transforming the energy industry. He teaches an energy efficiency course to eager students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

A recent paper he co-authored with Kat Donnelly considers these questions:

• Should utilities provide dynamic pricing or control customer systems directly?
• Should utilities be required to give customers access to their detailed energy usage data?
• Should consumers be allowed the option of sending their energy data to web applications, third parties, or community initiatives?

Full post: How should home energy management networks be controlled?