The Steffes Universal Communications Module (UCM) connects to consumer smart home assets like water heaters, heat pumps, and electric thermal storage heaters. The UCM connects EcoPort Smart Grid Devices (SGDs) to a powerful device management head end with best-in-class cybersecurity. Steffes UCMs enable rapid deployment of load-up and load-down programs to maximize customer participation in the latest Time-of-Use, DR+, and price-based load control strategies.