TXU Energy, through a partnership that includes Comverge (East Hanover, New Jersey, U.S.) and Digi International (Minnetonka, Minnesota, U.S.), is launching a two-way demand-response program in Texas that will allow customers to manage their energy consumption over the Internet using a smart thermostat.

Digi will provide the Ethernet/ZigBee gateway, while Comverge will provide smart thermostats — referred as the TXU Energy iThermostat — using ZigBee-enabled home-area network (HAN) equipment. The ENERGY STAR-certified programmable thermostat allows customers to adjust their temperature settings from any computer connected to the Internet. It also allows TXU Energy to cycle a customer's air conditioning during periods of peak energy demand, reducing the strain on generation and transmission facilities.

“The iThermostat is great for customers who want to manage their energy usage, save money and lessen the impact on our environment without giving up comfort or convenience,” said Jim Burke, CEO of TXU Energy. “The TXU Energy iThermostat helps Texas efficiently manage its energy resources, while providing customers greater control over their own energy usage. It is initiatives like these that will have a big impact now and into the future.”

The program is free of charge to residential customers, with customers self-installing the equipment, eliminating the expense of installation.