Samsung has launched a new response to demand program for your SmartThings smart home platform. Flexible connection allows SmartThings connected appliances to communicate with the grid and automatically reduce energy usage when there is a surge in demand, which could help avoid blackouts. While demand response programs have generated some alarming headlines, many experts believe that connecting our smart homes to the grid is critical to managing the strain on our energy grid.
Flex Connect is available in New York and California and works with SmartThings Energy, an energy management solution. Take advantage of SmartThings Energy ai-energy-mode-brings-to-our-life”>ai power mode to automate how smart appliances and connected devices, such as lights and thermostats, respond to demand response events.
ai power mode, which Samsung claims can save up to 70 percent of energy consumption When using Samsung products, it is an intelligent program that learns your home routines and automatically adjusts the energy usage of appliances and devices to save energy based on the goals you set in the app.
According to Samsung, when a demand response signal is received from your utility company, Flex Connect can automatically activate the ai-energy-mode/”>ai power mode to save extra energy usage on compatible appliances, automatically turn off devices (including lights and third-party plugs), and automatically adjust compatible thermostats to reduce their energy consumption.
If you don't have any compatible appliances, you can use the SmartThings Energy feature to receive alerts when an event is triggered. This way, you can know whether you should adjust your thermostat or not run your dryer.
The Flex Connect program is optional and you can choose which devices you want to register, as well as change them at any time. Any appliance or device that works with SmartThings Energy can be connected to Flex Connect. While the list of compatible devices is dominated by Samsung appliances, Various third-party plugs, lights, and thermostats Leading brands such as Wemo, TP-Link, Aeotec, Ecobee, Sengled, and Resideo (Honeywell Home) are supported. Tesla Productsincluding the Powerwall and Loop EV Chargers.
Samsung has not provided specific details on how utilities will work with the program, whether there are plans to expand it to more states, or when Flex Connect will go live. We will update this post with more information when we receive it.