Smart homes: A domestic demand response and demand side energy management system for future smart grids

Abstract

Smart homes or the homes of the future will be equipped with advanced technologies for user comfort and entertainment. Intelligent systems will be available to ensure this comfort and reliability. With these technological advancements comes further energy management. The concept of domestic energy efficiency is a concern at present and will be, in the future. So how do we optimize homes and users as to how they conserve energy? Domestic user's energy usage represents a large amount of total electricity demand. Typical home energy systems utilize a rudimentary form of energy efficiency and management. In this paper we look at a Demand Response and Demand side management system model to curb this situation. The demand response system is achieved by the utility turning on/off smart power plugs wirelessly throughout the home based on peak and off peak periods via communication through its smart grid. To help consumers shift their loads during these times, appliance power sources that can act autonomously based on wired or wireless signals received from the utility via its smart grid is required. Users in response to this, connect their appliances to these plugs by generating their own hierarchy system by prioritizing their appliance usage. Whereas the demand side management system allows users to manually configure dates and times for the turning on/off of the smart power plugs wirelessly through the user's smart user interface. Therefore, an energy efficient future smart home that can save the user on monthly expenditure and save on energy simultaneously.