OpenADR and Matter are collaborating to let your smart home talk to the grid

Source: Engadget

Overview

OpenADR and Matter are teaming up to make it easier for smart‑home appliances to talk to the energy grid. Matter is the most popular smart home connectivity standard, while OpenADR is a connectivity standard used by the actual energy grid (FAQ). The collaboration should allow smart‑home devices to automatically communicate with the grid without any effort from the consumer.

Consumer Benefits

The main advantage for consumers is demand response – a type of energy management that adjusts demand in real time rather than supply. Utilities already use demand response to offer reduced energy bills to customers who allow the provider to modify temperature settings for a few hours, helping balance load on the grid.

Demand response is also built into newer smart thermostats, which can communicate directly with the grid to make automatic adjustments that prevent blackouts and other issues (Honeywell demand‑response info).

Use Cases

• Smart thermostats – already support demand‑response communication.
• EV chargers – direct communication with utilities could enable charging at cheaper times, beyond simply plugging in during off‑peak hours.
• High‑energy appliances – HVAC systems, laundry dryers, water heaters, and similar devices could benefit from built‑in grid communication, potentially eliminating the need for separate demand‑response boxes.

Future Outlook

There is no specific timeline yet. The formal liaison agreement aims to “accelerate the adoption of grid‑connected residential energy management solutions.” As the technology matures, smart‑home enthusiasts can expect a seamless pathway from the grid to each individual device.