Buffett firm's smart-grid idea takes over your wash

Munich

WARREN Buffett wants to tell you the best time to wash your clothes.

Or at least his energy company in the UK does. Mr Buffett's Northern Powergrid Holdings Co is working with Siemens AG to test a so-called smart grid that has the ability to control when consumer appliances will be used in the home.

Being able to better manage when electricity flows allows utilities to lower consumer costs by reducing the need for new equipment, and to better handle surges and gaps from intermittent sources …