Internet-Based Energy Management

Recent advances in technology and changes in legislation deregulating utilities stirred up a transformation in the energy management industry. Deregulation changed the economic and practical basis of energy production, distribution, and consumption. It gave more freedom to both energy producers and consumers, but, along the way, also created many challenges. These challenges are matched by the opportunities this freedom affords to optimize energy trade, production, distribution, and consumption through the use of new energy management systems, particularly those that are Internet-based. The use of such systems can bring about significant benefits, both monetary and environmental. To take advantage of these benefits, the realities of the new deregulated world must be firmly understood. An overview of the industry and the new ideas presented in this paper would be useful and interesting for energy managers, utility executives, and professionals involved in the design and development of energy management software.