User's Manual

Home Area Nework Guide 5
CHAPTER
2
H OME A REA N ETWORK O VERVIEW
Home Area Networks (HANs) are the next step toward the goal of smart grid
distribution. The Aclara HAN is designed to supply end-users with the current
demand, consumption data, and pricing information necessary for demand side
energy management. Providing real time consumption and pricing feedback
encourages consumers to self-regulate energy usage which will ultimately help
balance the load across both peak and off-peak periods. In addition, the HAN gives
the utility to perform direct load control events, if necessary, to prevent power
disruption.
The Aclara HAN consists of an Aclara integrated meter, a ZigBee
®
enabled In
Home Display (IHD), and a ZigBee enabled programmable thermostat.
Figure 2.1 HAN overview