The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) views smart meters as a vital step in transforming California's utility distribution network into an intelligent, integrated network enabled by modern information and control system technologies.
The statewide initiative will replace 19th century technology with 21st century utility hardware. In addition, smart meters will support technological advances such as in-home information displays and smart thermostat controls.
Many companies are also developing Home Area Network (HAN) technology which will enable you to remotely connect to and control many automated digital devices throughout your house. For example, you can use a cell phone or computer to switch appliances on or off, arm a home security system, control temperature and lighting, or program a home entertainment system.
In the future, your smart meter will integrate with your HAN and communicate peak energy use times to your digital devices. For example, on a hot day, your smart meter would send a signal and your smart devices would, based on your preferences, reduce energy use during a call for conservation.
Your HAN could automatically turn devices on or off, up or down, and shift your smart appliances to an economy mode based on how you want to conserve energy. The smart meter infrastructure of today will help optimize your smart devices of tomorrow.
Your smart meter is designed to connect with a Home Area Network.
Click on the graphic to explore our interactive diagram explaining all the devices that could be in your future HAN home.
SDG&E released a HAN Request for Proposal (RFP) on Feb. 6, 2009. SDG&E anticipates that device manufacturers, software developers and marketing and installation vendors will collaborate to bring the most cost effective products to the marketplace by the end of 2010.
More Information About the RFP
SDG&E is a member of the ZigBee® Alliance and HomePlug® Alliance. These groups are working to create Home Area Network products for use locally, nationally and globally.
SDG&E plans to have both smart meters and a smart energy grid in place by 2015. This would include fully integrated smart homes with smart appliances, and access to how much energy your home is using at your fingertips.
Home Area Network technology will empower you to make informed choices about your energy that benefit you and the greater community.
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