As the penetration of weather-dependent embedded generation grows, the variations in apparent demand experienced by distribution network operators will become more extreme. A method for the autonomous control of domestic electricity demand and microgeneration is proposed using the established, but underdeveloped, radio teleswitch technology. The disadvantages of cost or carbon-emission based optimisation using this method are discussed and an alternative approach based on minimisation of exergy loss is described. Results obtained from a computer model demonstrate its potential contribution to the balancing of electricity supply and demand. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.