Home Energy Management System
What it is?
Home energy management systems (HEMS) are located in customer homes with the purpose of monitoring, communicating with, and sometimes controlling various home energy devices. In addition to tracking energy use and consumption information, HEMS systems enable both the homeowner and utility to save energy and money by analyzing system and home energy needs, and offer control and scheduling options to adapt energy use behavior.
Why is it essential for a Modern Grid?
HEMS are a critical component for customers to track their energy use and also see price signals and real-time information from their utility. By presetting and adjusting home energy use settings, HEMS is the software through which a customer can reduce or shift their energy use to respond to price signals from the utility
Where is it located?
EMS are primarily software-based, meaning it is typically accessed from an application or website on a phone or computer. However, some available HEMS have physical hardware interfaces that are installed in the home as a monitortype interface in a customer home, typically where a traditional thermostat might be located.
Pilot Program
The Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) conducted a smart thermostat pilot program with residential customers in 2014. After studying customers before and after, the smart thermostat was found to reduce electricty use for cooling by 16.1% on average.
How mature is the Technology?
Developed technology, not widely deployed | There are many HEMS products available commercially that offer
different capabilities based on customer type and services offered. Both open source and proprietary options exist,
though deployment of HEMS system is not widespread.
More Information
Explore these resources to learn more about HEMS.
