Samsung SmartThings points out that as more people connect more things to the power grid energy demand keeps going up. And when many of us use energy at the same time—like when we all turn our coffee makers on in the morning, plug in cars after work, or run the dishwasher after dinner— that demand can be more than the grid normally supplies, so the solution is improved energy management.
To deal with this, utility providers may have to generate that additional electricity using older or more carbon-intensive methods. Or they will sometimes charge more for energy during these “peak” demand periods to encourage people to reduce their energy. This is often called “Demand Response”. Most consumers want their utility bills and carbon footprints low, but it can be hard for the average user to keep an eye on their energy use, let alone control it!
According to Samsung, this is where SmartThings Energy comes in. As an ENERGY STAR-certified Smart Home Energy Management System (SHEMS), the service allows users to reduce demand on the grid during peak and emergency situations, and in turn, lowering their energy costs.
The company rhetorically asks, “how do we do it?” SmartThings-enabled Samsung appliances, along with a growing number of Works With SmartThings devices, allows homeowners to measure and manage your energy use through the SmartThings app. To take this to the next level, the global electronics company has partnered with utility providers and grid-service programs to help homeowners manage their energy costs, earn rewards, all while reducing energy demand across the grid.
Energy Management Delivers Energy Savings and Improve Grid Reliability
Homeowners that are in New York or California can activate SmartThings Energy in the SmartThings app and they can enter their zip code to see if they are eligible to participate in the company’s demand response programs with Logical Buildings and Enersponse. Samsung emphasizes, those homeowners that are eligible to participate in these programs can receive cash payments, while saving money on their utility bills, and they can reduce their carbon footprint. Additionally, as a plus, participation provides measurable support to homeowners’ respective communities via demand response services such as load shedding during peak demand, helping to reduce the need for carbon-intensive peak energy generation.
Samsung adds that once homeowners are registered, they be notified using its energy management technologies of their energy usage during peak hours and subsequently, homeowners can take action to reduce consumption immediately.
