Intelligent automatic electrical-load management for networks of major domestic appliances

By developing intelligent load-management facilities for domestic dwellings, which do not infringe adversely on personal lifestyles, peak demands may be reduced and a significant saving in the predicted national requirement for reserve power-generating plant should be achieved.

Abstract

Abstract The utilisation of household equipment (i.e. for space-heating, water-heating, cooking, washing, cleaning, drying, food-preservation, entertainment, and personal care) influences significantly the UK's peak electrical demand. By developing intelligent load-management facilities for domestic dwellings, which do not infringe adversely on personal lifestyles, peak demands may be reduced. A significant saving in the predicted national requirement for reserve power-generating plant should thereby the achieved. Such home-automation systems would also help facilitate the introduction of a responsive time-of-use electricity-pricing system, which passes on the real-time cost of power generation to the end user. Once realised, this would encourage consumers to be more energy-conscious when purchasing and using electrical equipment.