Date: Oct 07, 2009 Author: John Collins Rudolf Source: New York Times (
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by: John Collins Rudolf
Google's foray into the world of home energy management -- first announced in February 2009 -- took what looked like a substantial step forward on Monday, as the Internet media giant unveiled its partnership with Energy, Inc, maker of the Energy Detective.
That device, which allows consumers to monitor their home energy use in real time, has been modified to upload its data via the Internet, where it interacts with Google's PowerMeter — a free, Web-based program that visualizes power usage via charts and graphs.
Homeowners can then view their power usage data using any Web-enabled device — from laptops to mobile phones.
PowerMeter, the first product to emerge out of Google.org, the company's self-described philanthropic division, is part of a larger effort by Google to reduce personal and business energy use by encouraging energy efficiency.
Studies and pilot projects have shown that providing consumers with detailed information on energy use can translate into significant gains in energy conservation.
"PowerMeter is really focused on the problem of climate change," said Tom Sly, a senior manager on Google's new business development team. "We believe that this actually does cause people to reduce consumption."
The Energy Detective 5000, the latest version of Energy Inc.'s electricity monitor, measures shifts in power usage down to a single watt.
The device's sensitivity makes it ideal for detecting a home's so-called "phantom load" — the energy being drawn by appliances and home electronics that are ostensibly turned off, said Mr. Sly.
And by providing highly detailed information in real time, energy savings can be observed instantaneously -- as opposed to once a month, in a standard electric bill.
"Smart meters" -- which transmit detailed information about electricity use over the grid -- are being deployed by a growing number of utilities across the country, and can provide similar data on energy consumption to consumers.
But the primary function of many of these advanced meters is to provide better information to utilities on power use throughout their service area. This data helps utilities better anticipate surges in demand and avert potential brownouts and blackouts, but does little to aid consumers seeking to reduce personal energy use, said Dolph Rodenberg the president of Energy, Inc., which is based in Charleston, S.C.
"The smart meters are designed primarily to help utilities manage their supply and demand," said Mr. Rodenberg. "What we're about is supplying information to the consumer, not the utility."
The newest Energy Detective device, available from Energy Inc.'s Web site for around $200, consists of two main components: the measuring unit, which must be attached directly to a home's main circuit breaker panel, and the "gateway," which plugs into any conventional outlet and receives energy data through the electrical wiring of the home.
The measuring unit should be installed by a trained professional, Mr. Rodenberg said.
Once the system is installed, the gateway component can be plugged directly into a router or modem for connection to the Internet.
According to Mr. Sly, several hundred Google employees are now testing they system — including one engineer who has already modified the PowerMeter application to automatically call his cell phone when his home power usage reaches a certain threshold.
"This really lays the groundwork for all sorts of interesting things that can be done," Mr. Sly said.
