I'm not denying there are benefits to being able to control (even more) demand as well as supply. This would make it technically possible to run the whole syste

I'm not denying there are benefits to being able to control (even more) demand as well as supply. This would make it technically possible to run the whole system more efficiently. You know what I noticed when I had an old house with old AC? It could barely keep up. On really hot days, it didn't. They offered me $5/month off my bill to allow them to turn off my AC remotely up to 15/min/hour. For a lot of people this would be precisely what you said: "small changes that you wouldn't even notice to your most energy intensive devices" In that house, it would have meant the AC would need to be replaced. "Oh yeah, and you're totally allowed to turn this off if you can figure out how, and we'll never charge you with a crime. Good luck!" "Wait! Why are you arresting me?!" "You've been intentionally violating the DMCA!" lol