Broadband Wireless Multimedia Networks

CHAPTER 8

GREEN COMMUNICATIONS IN WIRELESS HOME AREA NETWORKS

Contributed by Bob Heile, PhD, ZigBee Alliance

The ZigBee Alliance has taken the lead in delivering open energy management solutions for the home. ZigBee was launched in 2002 to develop open standards for wireless sensor networks. The idea is simple: make it easy and cost-effective to put sensors and controllers in everything and give them a way to connect and exchange information for a variety of purposes. By doing this, we achieve an Internet of Things. By connecting a variety of applications, from heating and air conditioning, lighting systems, home security systems, to things like remote controls, consumers gain greater control of their home and see a variety of convenience, safety and comfort benefits, as well as an opportunity save money. Given that our own homes are a key factor in any smart grid equation, the balance of this chapter is devoted to some of the important things targeted at homes in terms of applications and standards development. Consider the following:

• Over 50% of electricity is consumed in the home.
• The home will be the location of the largest number of distribution generation devices.
• The home will be the home base for electric vehicles (EVs).

Impacting consumer behavior in the home will be essential in reducing the growth in electric demand and, because of the sheer number of residences and consumers, workable demand response, and load control requires a high level of information, communication, ...