Swarm Intelligence systems typically consist of a population of simple agents interacting locally with each other and with their environment. Inspiration often comes from nature, particularly biological systems. The agents follow very simple rules, and although there is no centralized control structures dictating how individual agents should behave, local, and to a certain degree random, interactions between such agents lead to the emergence of "intelligent" global behavior.

Swarm robotics is a new approach to the coordination of multirobot systems which consist of large numbers of mostly simple physical robots. It is supposed that a desired collective behavior emerges from the interactions between the robots and interactions of robots with the environment. This approach emerged on the field of artificial swarm intelligence, as well as the biological studies of insects, ants and other fields in nature, where swarm behaviour occurs.

Demand-Side Management (DSM) is a set of techniques focused on modifying the way that users consume electricity from the grid. The goal of these techniques is to reduce the power consumption and increase the efficiency of the electricity grid. Typical lines of action are: i) reduction of energy consumption, ii) reduction of the power consumed during the peaks, iii) increase the power consumed during the valleys and iv) shifting peak consumption to off-peak hours.

Monitoring systems are able to get information from the environment where it is deployed for further analysis. Based on this analysis, control systems can be developed. These systems make use of a network of sensors to obtain such information.

A smart meter is usually an electronic device that records consumption of electric energy periodically and communicates that information to a monitoring system. Smart meters enable two-way communication between the meter and a possible control system.

Mobile sensor networks are defined as sensor networks in which the sensor nodes are mobile. In Robolabo we are focused on the study of mobile sensor networks in which de reduction of consumption is pursued. Moreover, communication between the nodes in the networks is intended to be local, distributed and situated.