Smart Power

ajnsue writes "How would you like to control your homes power consumption at the level of the appliance - About 300 Washington State and Oregon Power users are now testing software and devices that allow them to actively control their household power consumption based on the price of power. From the article... "...(Using)real-time price information (provided) through a broadband Internet connection and automated equipment that will adjust energy use based on price. In addition, some customers will have computer chips embedded in their dryers and water heaters that can sense when the power transmission system is under stress and automatically turn off certain functions briefly until the grid can be stabilized by power operators." This technology also provides beneift to the provider network "...The Grid Friendly TM Appliance Controller chip could help prevent widespread power outages by turning off certain parts of an appliance when it senses instability in the grid - something that happens about once a day on average. Shutting down the heating element for a few minutes, while the drum continues to tumble, would likely go unnoticed by the homeowner but drastically reduces power demand within the home...""

Comments

Re:"Benefit"?

[Capt'n Hector]

Where was the bit about how it benefits the consumer...?

Less power outages. People in California know what I'm talking about...

Re:Dynamic Demand

[outcast36]

my utility company (FPL) has been doing this for years. It's never been a problem. Everybody I know (we're talking families & grandparents here, not weirdo techies like ourselves) does it and nobody has ever noticed. I would suggest you look into it.

like this

[Anonymous Coward]

replying to my own post, but just noticed this article. This is an example of what I mean here, "more power" that is automatically made during peak times;

http://pepei.pennnet.com/news/display_news_story.c fm?Section=WIREN&Category=HOME&NewsID=129717