Dynamic Electricity

The problem with electric energy is not that it is scarce or expensive. The problem is it is very difficult to store. Batteries are super expensive and their capacity is low. Also the distribution network capacity is limited. This all means dynamic management of the demand is really the key. At the same time it is extremely surprising how slow the rollout of dynamic demand management has been. Especially considering the [potential] efficiency gains and the fact all technologies needed have been around for many years now.

Definitely we need communication standards for that to happen - every water boiler, every washing machine should be able to respond to supply side signals. As a matter of fact, every appliance which can consume its energy "later" (when demand should be decreased) or "now" (when demand should be increased) should be able to understand and respond to the energy provider's indications.

Open ADR has made some inroads in some geographies - mostly in California and in Japan to some extent. But that is just the tip of the iceberg. Governments seem not interested. Appliance manufacturers seem not to care, seeing more value in "cool" features like connecting dishwashers to smartphone apps rather than promoting demand-response functionality.

One would expect large regulators like US Department of Energy or European Commission to step in, install the technical communication standards and provide incentives and / or legal regulations.

It seems like they don't understand the opportunity and/or don't care. Coordinated electricity is probably the biggest, sweetest, lowest hanging environmental / economy fruit hanging out there. Ripe to be picked NOW.