Samsung Electronics recently launched a new service called SmartThings Energy. This is a service within its Internet of Things (IoT) app that allows users to take control of their energy consumption by providing real-time data on where and how energy is being used in their homes.
Attributed to the massive growth of its partnership network, SmartThings Energy is a smart energy management solution that’s able to monitor the energy consumption of every appliance in a home—it even integrates newer, renewable energy sources like solar. Samsung says that this innovative new service will empower consumers to make smart decisions that reduce both their energy bills and their carbon footprint.
SmartThings Energy: State-of-the-Art Energy Management
The core capability of SmartThings Energy is its ability to monitor and analyze the amount of energy used by devices and appliances connected to the SmartThings platform. Consumers get a comprehensive view of how their devices use energy, allowing them to take control of their energy consumption. This of course presents opportunities for them to reduce their monthly energy bills.
SmartThings Energy can be engaged to automatically switch appliances to low energy modes, thus preventing appliances from running when no one is at home. It can also notify customers when energy consumption exceeds customized monthly targets. SmartThings Energy uses energy billing system information, including peak time rates, to help energy consumers adjust energy usage and minimize energy costs.
Partnerships Key to Success of New Service
SmartThings Energy is currently available in the U.S., and the U.K., Korea, and India. It supports most Samsung home appliances and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) products. Samsung plans expansion into more regions and increased support compatibility with a range of Works With SmartThings (WWST) 3rd-party partners.
“We are pursuing partnerships with major energy providers around the world to provide a comprehensive view of energy consumption through SmartThings Energy,” said Chanwoo Park, Vice President and Head of IoT Business group at Samsung Electronics. “We believe that through these partnerships, SmartThings users will be able to make more informed choices about their energy consumption that will not only save them money but also help them lead a more eco-conscious lifestyle.”
While they were developing the smart energy management solution, Samsung viewed SmartThings Energy as a way to empower users to take control of the way energy is used throughout their homes and make smarter decisions about their energy consumption.
Their partnership efforts began with two major agreements recently announced in Korea. The first included Korea’s largest electric utility company, Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO); this provides energy usage information from KEPCO to SmartThings Energy for participating users. The users have access to information about their entire homes’ energy consumption beyond just those devices connected to SmartThings. This service will be available for users in Korea starting later this year.
The development is expected to set the groundwork for allowing whole-home energy monitoring with smart meters through SmartThings Energy in regions around the world.
The second agreement is a partnership between SmartThings Energy and Q CELLS, a global leading solar manufacturer. Here, SmartThings Energy will be able to connect to Q CELLS’ solar modules, energy storage systems, and energy management systems. When this solution is launched, users will be able to monitor and control how they generate, save and use solar power, optimizing energy consumption for cost efficiency and sustainability.
Looking to the Future
When solutions and services like this come together with Samsung’s range of leading intelligent home appliances, mobile and wearable devices, and lifestyle products, users will be able to customize their lifestyles in ways that prioritize sustainability. They’ll also have optimal convenience and efficiency in their routines and home management.
With the expansion of services like SmartThings Energy in the U.S., residents in Texas, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and other states with Energy Choice will be able to leverage these solutions to take full control over their energy use and expenditures.