Schneider’s Home Energy Management System (HEMS) - One App Can Do It All

Posted by: Rate It Green Team

Green Builder Matt Hoots of Sawhorse, Inc. continues to be impressed with Schneider’s systems to make home energy management integrated and seamless to operate.  In tis video, Matt interviews Will Pfleger, a Residential Microgrid Development & Strategy Manager at Schneider.  What becomes clear is that Schneider’s Home Energy Management System, or HEMS for short is comprehensive.  The system integrates rooftop solar with a back up battery system and a smart inverter connected to the Central Smart Electrical Panel so the user can monitor and manage load control, all integrated with wireless devices and through a single user interface/app.  EVs are also seamlessly integrated.  

Seriously, one app can do it all.  Not only does the system help manage solar, batteries, and inverters, but the user can also control plugs and outlets.  Imagine the kids staying up too late playing video games? Parents can literally switch those outlets off though the app. 

In all seriousness, information and control can play important roles in preparedness and resilience.  The app can warn residents about storms or other expected energy disruptions, allowing the resident to change strategies.  For example, the homeowner can adjust from returning renewable energy in real time through the grid to storing energy up locally in advance of an outage.  Instead of shutting down like traditional solar, this property can now use stored energy to literally power through an outage. Load management is especially important in an outage - the resident gets to prioritize what to power. 

The system is also preventive, assisting with finding and preventing patterns, including alerting users when energy levels are out of alignment with normal practices.  This information puts so much power and control in the hands of occupants to manage energy, including finding opportunities for savings.  

Top system benefits include:

• Integrated platform for all core home energy components
• Central Smart Electrical Panel (Schneider Pulse) to connect all energy sources, and to facilitate control of all energy uses and locations
• Real time monitoring enables energy optimization

 

So why doesn’t everyone have an HEMS yet? They’re coming!  For new buildings, this type of system can be specified and planned for from the beginning, including ensuring the space needed for system elements.  Up front costs and installation complexity will be higher for existing homes as the system replaces the main electrical panel and involves steps like rewiring and shutting off the power at times. This work will also likely require some patches and repairs to existing finishes.   

Have you installed a HEMS? What has your experience been? What can you share with others to make this process easier? What are your questions for people who are just learning about these systems?