Communications protocol for power management in smart homes

Abstract

Emergency situations, incentives for energy efficiency, new pricing plans, and distributed electricity market jointly require home automation systems that would conform an instantaneous load to a dynamically set limit. In this paper, a novel machine-to-machine communications protocol that interconnects a smart grid and smart house is described. "Intelligent" domestic appliances use it to coordinate their switch-on times so that the assigned power quota will not be exceeded. In this way, the end-user experience can be improved by reducing the electricity bills, conveniently conforming to prepaid pricing plans, or even by providing continued service at possibly reduced consumption levels during power shortages.