First there was Gmail, then Google and Docs and now – Google PowerMeter, an online application allowing users to map their electricity consumption. This online dashboard allows users to download data from smart meters and display electricity use in real time, including how much electricity is being used by an individual appliance.
“We believe that by building a ‘smarter’ electricity grid, we can use the synergies of information and technology to give consumers better tools to track and reduce their energy use and, by doing so, save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” engineering executive Bill Coughran and Dan Reicher, Google.org’s director of climate change and energy initiatives, wrote on the company blog.
Google hopes by allowing users to see how much electricity their appliances use, they will be able to swap less efficient products for more energy-saving appliances.
“By monitoring my energy use, I figured out that the bulk of my electricity was caused by my two 20-year-old fridges, my incandescent lights and my pool pump, which was set to be on all the time,” wrote “Russ, hardware engineer” in a testimonial published by Google.
The application runs by using “smart meters” installed by utility companies. While the service is set to role out across the US in the near future, unfortunately there are no plans for an Australian version yet.
James was the editor and publisher of SmartCompany and LeadingCompany for five years. He is now the Australian Financial Review‘s companies & markets editor, and a former BRW editor.
