Duke Energy has signed an agreement with Cisco to pilot and further develop a smart grid-enabled home energy management solution that will provide Duke Energy customers with secure and reliable energy information and a simple-to-use tool to help them reduce the amount of energy wasted in their homes.
Duke Energy is testing the first-generation Cisco Home Energy Management Solution this summer with customers in Charlotte, N.C., and in Cincinnati, Ohio, where the company has installed digital smart grid technologies. Through these year-long tests, Duke Energy and Cisco will listen to customers and gather feedback about their interactions. This information will be used to build in additional customer-desired functionality.
In addition to home energy management, Duke Energy and Cisco will work to bring together manufacturers of household products like appliances, electrical outlets, air conditioners, water heaters and plug-in electric vehicles to create an ecosystem of products that connect with the Cisco Home Energy Management Solution.
The two companies will also look beyond energy to explore the benefits of broader home management solutions. With an adaptable network, appliances, electronics and other home devices - regardless of the design or manufacturer - will work in concert to create and overall energy experience for customers.
