FEB 10

The battle has begun. Software developers everywhere are quickly realizing that the market for energy management applications has enormous potential. But although it’s worthwhile to watch the smaller companies and see if any one of them comes out with the next breakthrough, when players like Google and Microsoft jump into the mix, you know that their product will get far more exposure in the market.

Google’s product, the Google Powermeter, is directed towards the home energy user. It is a web-based graph which shows you how much energy you have been using over the course of the day, and where that energy is being used. What it does not appear to do is give you the ability to remotely control your appliances. Still, knowing where you use the most energy can make a big difference, as a Google employee testifies in a promotional video – he saved $3,000 in one year without any significant lifestyle changes.

Microsoft, on the other hand, is working on a product that appears more robust, and feature-intensive, but not as simple and easy-to-use as the Powermeter (which isn’t surprising when you consider Outlook versus Gmail). The Environmental Dashboard application for Microsoft Dynamics AX is catered to businesses rather than home energy users. Like the Powermeter, the Environmental Dashboard helps businesses analyze and reduce their energy consumption, but it also helps them measure their greenhouse gas emissions.

Programs like this are great for people like us, but let’s not forget that smart technology is a series of steps. Being able to measure electricity consumption is the first step. The second step is being able to remotely control electricity-consuming devices. The third and final step is connecting households into large networks which can be managed on the macro level. Ultimately, although personalized solutions can make a difference in one’s annual budget, we aren’t going to see widespread changes until all three steps are complete.

Via CNET, Treehugger

Comments (7)

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written by MD, February 11, 2009

So does the software work with any meters other than only GE's meters? Seems like a monopoly to me if the software does not.

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written by MD, February 11, 2009

So does the software work with any meters other than only GE's meters? Seems like a monopoly to me if the software does not.

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I have to disagree...
written by Matthew, February 11, 2009

I am going to have to disagree with Yoni's final statement.
"The second step is being able to remotely control electricity-consuming devices. The third and final step is connecting households into large networks which can be managed on the macro level."
I absolutely do not want google OR microsoft OR anyone else being able to remotely shut off my power. Monitoring it is one thing, controlling it is another. I mean besides, what needs to be left on when you leave the house that needs to be turned off later?

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I would love this
written by Royce Fullerton, February 12, 2009

I would love to be able to monitor my electricity usage from anywhere. The transparency this provides would be wonderful. After a years worth of data is accumulated you can really see where things have improved or changed. I would sign up immediately. It would also be great to turn things off remotely but this would cost so much more. Just being able to monitor in a cheap mass produced way would be awesome...especially if coupled with a photovoltaic system to monitor system performance.

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Great validation for energy monitoring t
written by Robb Henshaw, February 13, 2009

With PowerMeter, Google is validating the valuable role of energy monitoring in empowering end users with the information they need to take control of their personal energy consumption. I work with Fat Spaniel Technologies (www.fatspaniel.com), and we absolutely support Google’s stated principle that “open protocols and standards should serve as the cornerstone of smart grid projects” (from their blog). Last year we announced the industry’s first open energy monitoring solution – the Fat Spaniel Insight Platform™. We believe that in order to provide users with a complete energy solution, it must be an open platform that can monitor all devices and systems and distill the data into usable information. As such, Fat Spaniel will extend its open, standardized interface to Google’s PowerMeter once it is publicly released. We currently provide the monitoring technology for more than 2,000 renewable energy plants across 17 countries today, and we think that Google’s validation of the energy monitoring market will help spread the technology for adoption across all energy systems universally.

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When?
written by Bryan, February 17, 2009

When are they coming out and how much?

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written by Doc Rings, October 12, 2009

I went to the Microsoft product site, and my energy company in North Atlanta does not support it ( http://www.sawnee.com ). There are lots of large cities, with little energy "co-ops" that are waaaay behind in terms of technology and online services.... and little reason to upgrade. But the google meter gets around what my power company does not provide... which is cool.

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