Schneider Electric is working with Savant Power to develop a new remote-controlled connected relay to help homeowners better manage their home energy use. When connected to a circuit breaker, this relay will provide control of residential power loads, including configurations to maximize back up power in the event of an outage.
By creating a virtual configurable critical load panel for each backup power source (solar, battery, etc.), available power can be maximized automatically by sending it to only priority circuits until the utility power is restored. The new solution is set to launch in Q1 2022
How the Schneider Electric, Savant Power Product Works
When wired to the QO Plug-On Neutral breaker, the new connected relay will provide monitoring and control of the homeowner’s power loads, including configurations to maximize back up power in the event of an outage.
The connected relay device will enable homeowners to see, monitor and control their home energy at the individual circuit level, all from the Schneider Electric Wiser Energy app. With more granular insights on home activity, homeowners will have the ability to take action from anywhere with a richer automation experience. The relays will optimize backup source capacity, notably providing flexibility for homeowners when navigating outages.
Added During the Building Stage
“With home energy use constantly on the rise, managing demand is more important to potential homebuyers than ever before, in turn giving builders an opportunity to increase the value of their new builds by offering energy management technology,” said Richard Korthauer, vice president, home & distribution, Schneider Electric. “Incorporating this technology at the building stage offers a new step up in load level control to distinguish new homes that minimize energy costs for homeowners in this dynamic energy market and provide new level of energy resiliency and safety at the breaker level.”
Savant Power, which is a division of Savant Systems Inc. enables consumers to monitor, control and optimize energy usage, reducing costs and lessening their dependence on an aging grid system
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“We are excited to partner with Schneider Electric, bringing sustainability and efficiency to every homeowner through intelligent load management,” said Robert Madonna, CEO, Savant Systems Inc. “Savant has been leading the smart home industry for more than 15 years by automating all pillars of the home, including climate, lighting, entertainment, security, and now energy – all driven by our award-winning software platform.”
Control and Monitor at the Circuit Level
The new Schneider Electric connected relays will allow homeowners to monitor and control their energy at the circuit level, including electric water heaters, ovens, HVAC systems, or any other circuit. For example, if a homeowner was concerned that they left the oven on after leaving the home, this would allow then to check, then turn that appliance off at the circuit remotely, preventing a potentially dangerous situation.
These relays will also help optimize non-utility home energy resources – including solar power, energy storage and generators – in the event of an outage.
By creating a virtual configurable critical load panel for each backup power source, available power can be maximized by sending it to only a few priority circuits until the utility power is restored. Automated through the Wiser Energy app, these configurations provide true smart energy management for today’s homeowner.
