A method implemented in a network element (NE) configured to operate as an Ensemble Information Broker (EIB) within a distributed data and energy storage internet architecture comprising collecting energy data indicating a flow of energy, an amount of energy and data consumed and generated by devices; collecting human activity data; predicting future energy consumption requirements and generationby employing prediction algorithms and analyzing the collected data; generating a set of control commands based on the predicted future energy consumption requirements and energy generation as appliedto a cost function; transmitting the set of control commands to the corresponding devices; transmitting a broadcast message to determine an external NE to establish as a friend connection based on auser preference; transmitting a request to establish a friend connection with the determined NE; and transmitting the human presence data to the external NE when the friend connection is established.