SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Control4, a leader in affordable IP-based home control systems, today announced that they have been chosen by AEP Ohio, a unit of American Electric Power (NYSE:AEP), to pilot customer experiences with home energy management.
"Control4 is pleased to work with AEP Ohio to raise home energy management to the next level of engagement,” said Richard Walker, President of Control4 Energy. “Our versatile home automation platform completes AEP Ohio's progressive AMI plan to deliver a Home Area Network Demand Response solution that consumers can embrace."
The selection of Control4 is part of AEP Ohio's gridSMART® Demonstration Project, funded in part by a Smart Grid Demonstration Grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The $150 million project is being deployed in northeast central Ohio. The project is designed to demonstrate the full benefits of installing a comprehensive distribution smart grid for consumers and the utility and includes approximately 110,000 advanced electricity meters, new distribution grid technology, distributed energy sources, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, smart appliances, and consumer systems and products to help customers manage electricity use and costs.
The Control4® solution, with its combination of both in-home device feedback and programmable thermostat control, is a sophisticated solution chosen by AEP Ohio to give consumers control and automation as well as awareness.
Control4’s in-home devices will increase awareness of the cost and impact of energy consumption for AEP Ohio customers. AEP Ohio plans to implement the Control4® Energy Management System (EMS 100) solution, equipping a select group of 1,000 customers with Control4® EC-100 energy controllers; 200 of those customers will also be able to use the EC-100 for automated load control via Control4® WT-100 thermostats. Beyond basic feedback of daily electricity use or cost, AEP Ohio consumers with Control4 devices will be given more ways to engage in home energy management with features like HAN management, automated device control, and the delivery of utility signals over broadband to trigger energy use decisions and actions in the home.
The EMS 100 solution includes Control4® ADVANTAGE Software. For the gridSMART project, Control4 ADVANTAGE software will monitor and update AEP customers' Home Area Networks (HANs) via the EC-100 energy controller.
The interoperability of Control4 EC-100 units with Silver Spring Networks' Smart Energy Platform also makes this portion of AEP's pilot an example of robust end-to-end IP-based Smart Grid architecture. The EC-100 has access to data from Silver Springs Networks' UtilityIQ™ Demand Response management application and intelligent end-point to effectively deliver complete energy information in real time.
For more information on Control4, visit www.control4.com.
About Control4
Control4, a leading provider of the operating system for the smart home, delivers intelligent control of consumer electronics products, appliances and networking systems through an easy-to-use and intuitive software interface. Founded in 2003, the company delivers affordable automation and control of lighting, music, video, HVAC, security, and energy management systems to the broad market through more than 1,600 custom integrators, retail outlets, and distributors in over 70 countries. Control4 is the platform of choice for major consumer electronics companies, hotels, businesses and utilities that require an intelligent, open and affordable control solution.
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For more information on Control4, please visit www.control4.com.