Miele further promotes intelligent energy management for domestic appliances. Thanks to the partnership with Loxone (specialist in the field of building automation), washing machines, tumble dryers and dishwashers can be integrated into a versatile smart network so that they start automatically using “home-grown” electricity from a rooftop PV array. The principle of operation of energy management is: Miele domestic appliances and other pieces of electrical equipment are connected to the centrepiece of the Loxone system, a mini-server. The user loads a washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher in the morning and then sets a time by which, for example, the laundry should be finished. The mini-server then coordinates the start of programmes on the Miele appliances and other equipment, depending on the surplus energy produced by the PV installation. If, during the course of the day, there is insufficient “home-grown” electricity, the system switches to the grid. In all cases, the system ensures that green electricity is put to best use and loads are evenly distributed, which is preferable to feeding surplus energy into the utility’s grid. All connectivity-enabled Miele appliances can be integrated into the scenario described above, whereby products such as washing machines, tumble dryers and dishwashers are predestined for inclusion as it is less important when they run: the time by which cycles should be finished is far more important.
