Samsung SmartThings takes a step toward a smarter grid

Samsung has launched a caller demand response programme for its SmartThings astute location platform. Flex Connect allows your SmartThings connected appliances to pass with the grid and automatically trim vigor usage erstwhile there’s a spike successful demand, which could assistance debar blackouts. While request effect programs person made for some scary headlines, galore experts judge connecting our smart homes to the grid is captious for managing the strain connected our vigor network.

Flex Connect is disposable successful New York and California and works with SmartThings Energy — an vigor absorption solution. It taps into SmartThings’ AI Energy Mode to automate however astute appliances and connected devices similar lights and thermostats respond to request effect events.

AI Energy Mode, which Samsung says tin prevention up to 70 percent of vigor consumption erstwhile utilizing Samsung products, is simply a astute programme that learns your household’s routines and automatically adjusts appliances and devices' vigor usage to prevention vigor based connected targets you acceptable successful the app.

According to Samsung, erstwhile a request effect awesome is received from your inferior company, Flex Connect tin automatically crook connected the AI Energy Mode to prevention other vigor usage successful supported appliances, automatically powerfulness disconnected devices — including third-party lights and plugs — and automatically set supported thermostats to little their vigor use.

All of this could prevention you wealth if you are connected time-of-use rates oregon get you immoderate currency done rebates offered by your inferior for participation. Samsung is besides adding the sweetener of earning Samsung Rewards points through Flex Connect, which tin beryllium utilized to bargain products connected Samsung.com.

If you don’t person immoderate supported appliances, you tin inactive usage the SmartThings Energy diagnostic to person alerts erstwhile an lawsuit is triggered. This way, you tin cognize to set your thermostat oregon not tally your dryer.

The Flex Connect programme is optional, and you tin take which devices you privation to enroll, arsenic good arsenic alteration them astatine immoderate time. Any appliance oregon instrumentality that works with SmartThings Energy tin beryllium connected to Flex Connect. While the compatible devices database is dominated by Samsung appliances, several third-party plugs, lights, and thermostats are supported. Some notable brands see Wemo, TP-Link, Aeotec, Ecobee, Sengled, and Resideo (Honeywell Home). There’s besides enactment for Tesla products, including the Powerwall and Loop EV chargers.

Samsung hasn’t provided circumstantial details connected however utilities volition enactment with the program, if determination are plans to grow to much states, oregon erstwhile Flex Connect volition spell live. We’ll update this station with much accusation erstwhile we person it.