Erratic Mains power supply issues

In South africa we are currently suffering from erratic power supply due to the poor planning, crippling affirmative action delays and general incompetence by the state electricity monopoly holder.

We are subject to frequent, often unannounced power shedding blackouts. In addition we've been asked to limit the use of electricity as far as possible, using gas, solar power, etc.

Dos any one have any thoughts on using C-bus to:
1. Limit damage from power interuptions (I've already had to replace two computer powersupplies, a pool pump motor, a geyser thermostat etc).
2. Become mains independent as far as possible (UPS, generator, Solar battary bank + reduced consumption)
3. REduce energy expenditure as far as posiible?

Any thoughts/code snippets/references would be most welcome!

Pieter le Roux, on a laptop by candlelight...

 

Hi Pieter
You could set the relays to stay off when power is lost, this may save the appliance trying to restart on a lower voltage at the same time when everything else does, typically resulting in a voltage sag. In the "recovery" tab, unselect "auto level store" and set the slider to Off (0%).
This is effectively a "No Volt relay" principle of operation. Alternatively using the "restrike delay" may work if you want to resume operation without manual action.
C-Bus will not make you mains independant, but may be able to manage your electrical installation if you program with maximising efficiency in mind. It is only limited by your immagination. You would need to feed in somehow (such as with a General input device) the external conditions so that it can react. Probabally need a PAC or touch screen to use logic (eg. if V>240 then turn off group 41)
Reducing energy expenditure, program key inputs as timers, install PIR's instead of switches, schedule loads off. It all comes down to what you've got installed and how you can program it to operate, or how you design it. It has to be functional though(considering what the area you are controlling is used for and how it's used), otherwise the occupants get annoyed and have it de-commissioned.
Hope something here helps
Regards
Matthew