Smart Water Heaters Offer Low-Cost Energy Storage to Reduce Bills and Grid Strain
Utilities and cities are exploring the use of smart hot-water tanks as an affordable and flexible tool to manage electricity demand, particularly as more renewable energy sources like wind and solar come online. These smart water heaters can function as 'thermal batteries,' heating water during periods of low electricity cost or high solar production and storing that heat for later use. This approach allows households, especially those on time-of-use electricity plans, to reduce their monthly utility bills by shifting a significant portion of their energy consumption to cheaper, often midday, hours. Water heating is a major energy consumer in many homes, and optimizing its timing can make better use of clean electricity that might otherwise go unused. The concept is not limited to individual households; if widely adopted, these smart tanks could absorb excess renewable electricity, thereby reducing pressure on the grid during peak evening demand. 
