SmartGridCity is also attempting to turn homes
into “miniature power plants” using solar-powered
battery packs that “TiVo electricity,” or stash it away
to use at a later time. This serves as backup power
for homes using the packs, but Xcel can also tap into
that power during times of peak energy consumption
to lessen the overall energy load. Xcel will be able to
remotely adjust thermostats and water heaters and
will have much better information about the power
consumption of their consumers.