In a smart house the various components (like shading, lighting, ventilation, heating and other electrical equipment)communicate with each other. For example: with one touch of a button you can automatically select the right atmosphere for a quiet evening at home cinema.

This house have energy-efficient equipment (green screen TVs, computers and electrical goods) but also things like a smart energy meter, a PV system and a charging station for an electric car. All components in the home are connected to KNX, a world standard for building automation.

Smart metering
Smart metering in the future will play a greater role in our homes. Smart meters will have a few years the existing electricity and gas meters to replace. The smart meter will be used  for individual consumption of devices and also for generating power in the PV systems.

The intelligent house can then decide when to start the dishwasher or dryer, or to heat water in the boiler when electricity is cheapest. Ultimately, the smart meter the best electric car charging time for the determination.

Creators even considered a scenario where the devices also can be operated by electricity suppliers. Impulses through the power of network can at the cheapest rate heat the water in the boiler. (more…)