Information and communication technology has been identified as a key enabler to develop a resilient, low carbon, and secure future energy system, by creating a smart grid. Starting with the premise that technology can be used to effectively match demand to generation, we address three main questions; (i) can algorithms be used to coordinate demand? (ii) can policy influence market driven demand side solutions? and (iii) how does technology influence consumer behaviour? We find that demand management algorithms are sensitive to assumptions regarding consumer flexibility. Taking this into account, we develop a novel method to simultaneously evaluate demand response business cases within a regulatory context. We find that the value proposition for providing demand response services is weak and thus requires policy based incentives and support. The analysis of a smart home project indicates that in home display devices have a half-life of 17 weeks and this is not significantly affected by engagement campaigns. Participating in community led workshops (based on energy consumption) increases in home display device activity, however this is a very short term effect. We also find evidence that in home display devices are likely to be used after changes in energy consumption are made by the householder and not prior to behaviour change. When using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), energy saving groups (low, medium, and high) were found to have different values of subjective norm, perceived behaviour control, and intention. This is the first study to objectively measure behaviour change (in terms of energy saved and in home display usage) and compare it with self-reported values of the TPB within a smart home context.