1. Energy, Utilities & Chemicals the way we do it
Smart Home: The Human
Side of the Smart Grid
The smart home is a new way of looking at the role
energy plays in our lives and the evolving relationship
between energy utilities and consumers.
At the turn of the century, electricity was used. Furthermore, for those
improved everyday life by supplying customers who have purchased
light after dark and providing power renewable energy systems, there’s no
to machines. Today, the traditional ability to measure (and receive credit
home has appliances that are operated for) the value of energy produced from
locally and manually, usually by renewable resources.
flipping a switch or pushing a button.
These devices have limited controls, The Smart Home: a New Way
and managing the energy they use can of Living, Smarter
be difficult. The smart home represents the
convergence of energy efficient,
Billing can be confusing. Consumers controllable appliances and real-
receive electricity bills once a month, time access to energy usage
typically more than 20 days after they data. This integration
have used the service. The customer of smart
has no way to correlate the amount of
money spent on electricity
with how it
The smart home represents a
new paradigm that merges
energy distribution and
communications, connecting
the providers and the users.
2. devices and smart grid enables customers n Automated household appliances
to proactively manage energy use in in a smart home are controlled based
ways that are convenient, cost effective, on customer preferences, and they can
and good for the environment. be placed in modes that match the
homeowner’s daily routine, sometimes
Smart homes satisfy n Customer portals make it possible on, sometimes off.
to monitor home appliances remotely,
customers through using the Internet and a computer or
n Advanced intelligence enables
consumers to use “real-time” energy
more efficient and mobile device. Homeowners can access
budgeting to manage the dollars spent
detailed information about their
on energy in any given day. Smart
cost-effective demand energy usage in 15-minute intervals.
homes are able to fine-tune the
Appliances are monitored and
response programs, controlled based on estimated energy
system to match usage habits.
so that when customers costs per appliance and supported by a n Communication with the utility
system of automated alarms and alerts. is made possible through messages
want energy, it’s there. sent via the customer portal. These
n In-home displays enable customers
messages could include energy saving
to monitor energy usage by providing
tips and weather warnings, as well
updated information about energy
as updated information about when
consumption. These advanced energy
power outages will be restored.
usage analytics provide insights that
enable customers to manage energy
Smart homes satisfy customers through
use—and costs. The smart home
more efficient and cost-effective demand
also gives customers the ability
response programs, so that when
to determine if energy has been
customers want energy, it’s there.
delivered from renewable resources,
and it enhances the ability to calculate
and monitor their home’s unique
carbon footprint.
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3. Energy, Utilities & Chemicals the way we do it
Aztech
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3
9 Hello
Secure
Security
System
is activated
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73˚
Consumption
Thermostat
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Smart Metering, Smart Grid, Using smart technology, the day-to-day
Smart Home decisions consumers make about how
In the days to come, potential new lines they plan to use energy is shaping the
of business for utilities will include nature of their interaction with utilities
installing and managing the customer and is preparing the way for a new era
equipment that makes the smart home in customer relationships.
possible. Capgemini supports the smart
home through technology due diligence
and testing, home area network and
local area network technical expertise,
customer value proposition analysis, and
systems and applications integration.
The smart home works together with
the smart meter and the smart grid—it
is the fundamental unit of consumer
interaction with the utility.
Smart Home: The Human Side of the Smart Grid
