Hot water control
Manage electric hot water load through compatible smart meters.
Overview
Intellihub and hot water control
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160,000+
hot water systems enrolled -
540MW+
flexible hot water capacity enabled for VPP -
8 retailers
using the platform across Australia and New Zealand
What is hot water control?
Managing hot water as flexible grid demand
Hot water control gives energy retailers and network managers a practical way to manage electric storage hot water heating through compatible smart meters, shifting demand to times when electricity is cheaper and more abundant. Intellihub enrolls eligible sites, applies personalised schedules and remotely controls heating through the smart meter, with visibility of usage and system status.
The service combines telemetry data and dispatch control via the smart meter to dynamically adjust heating times in real time. This enables large-scale demand response, supporting renewable integration and improving cost and efficiency across the grid.
Reducing risk and improving portfolio control
Hot water systems represent one of the largest, least-visible sources of flexible demand on the grid. As renewable generation increases and price uncertainty rises, the ability to shift this demand in real time is becoming critical. Without managed control, networks face higher peak loads and reduced stability.
Regulatory pressure and the need for grid flexibility are accelerating demand for scalable, orchestrated solutions that can respond dynamically to changing conditions while maintaining customer comfort.
How it works
Intellihub hot water control delivers
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Enrolment and site provisioning
This stage identifies and registers eligible hot water systems using unique identifiers for connection points to the electricity network, meter data and standing data, including existing time clock (controlled load) configurations. Intellihub provisions these sites into its platform, enabling retailers and partners to access a ready pool of flexible loads. Registration can be performed at scale via API or self-serve interfaces for ongoing program growth.
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Telemetry and data visibility
Intellihub delivers near real-time telemetry from smart meters, with visibility of load control circuits, relay status and hot water power consumption. Relay event data is sent in real time, enabling accurate monitoring of asset performance. This data supports optimisation and validation of demand response events.
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Dispatch and dynamic control
Intellihub manages the remote control of hot water systems via load control relays embedded in smart meters. Commands can switch systems on or off, adjusting heating schedules in response to market signals, weather forecasts or grid events. Dispatch is executed on-demand or pre-scheduled, with events successfully delivered within 10 minutes to ensure timely and reliable demand shifting.
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Scheduling and optimisation
Default schedules are established by each distributor company within the meter using time clock switching, with support for seasonal adjustments and tariff alignment. These schedules can be overridden or updated dynamically to respond to changing grid conditions or pricing signals. This layered approach combines stable baseline control with flexible arrangements, ensuring reliability and enabling real-time optimisation.
Who this is for
Who Intellihub Helps
Utilities
Operate flexible load programs with measurable control and clearer visibility
Retailers need flexible loads they can trust when prices move quickly, and load shapes flatten through the middle of the day. Hot Water Control turns existing controlled-load hot water into an operational resource without changing the customer’s hot water unit. Intellihub registers eligible sites, manages schedules held in the meter, and provides five-minute telemetry on relay status and power draw. That gives retail operations teams a way to run demand response programs, monitor performance, and act with greater confidence.
This is for you if:
You’re an energy retailer who wants to shift eligible hot water load with clear visibility, fast response to market events and less manual effort.
Technical capabilities
Core technology enabling flexible hot water control
Relay control with meter telemetry.
Metering and load control hardware
Hot water control is enabled through smart meters equipped with integrated load control relays, supporting controlled load (CL) circuits. Intellihub works with leading metering providers including EDMI and Landis+Gyr, with devices compliant with Australian and New Zealand, metering standards and network requirements. These meters support time clock switching, dual-element control, and remote relay operation for electric storage hot water systems.
Integration and platform connectivity
The service integrates directly with retailer and virtual power plant (VPP) platforms via APIs, enabling enrolment, telemetry and dispatch control. Data is delivered in standard metering formats alongside near real-time events and telemetry feeds. Intellihub provides a secure and scalable way to connect with client systems, allowing dynamic control signals and schedule updates to be exchanged directly.
Telemetry and performance data
Hot water telemetry includes load control relay status, circuit visibility, and power consumption measurement at the meter level. Relay event data is sent in real time, enabling accurate monitoring of asset performance. Performance metrics, including dispatch success rates and telemetry availability, are tracked and reported to support compliance and continuous optimisation.
Put your hot water load to work as a flexible grid resource
Hot water control by Intellihub gives you a practical way to shift demand, reduce peak exposure and gain real-time visibility across your portfolio. Site enrolment, dynamic dispatch and telemetry are all supported, without requiring changes to existing hot water systems.
Not a business enquiry? If you have a question about your electricity meter or bill, visit our help centre or contact your energy retailer directly.