Energy Transitions: Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS)

Abstract

Home Energy Management (HEM) offers the potential to help manage peak electricity demand and network constraints – crucial for efficient infrastructure – yet to date is underdeveloped in New Zealand. This presentation provides an overview of current and future HEM capabilities, and some of the factors that might affect uptake of such systems in New Zealand. Four key characteristics of HEM systems are identified and used to guide data collection about HEM technologies currently on the market, which are shown to break into 8 different groupings based on their energy management capabilities. These systems offer demand management through feedback and behaviour prompts, remote control, demand response, and scheduling. Additionally, emerging technologies point to a new wave of HEM systems that better leverage smart grid infrastructure. However, uptake and use of such technologies is not guaranteed, and we discuss factors that may influence the success of home energy management.