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THE SMART NEWS SOURCE | Feb 11 2012 00:24 | LAST UPDATED Feb 11 2012 00:24 |
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Google is to release electricity monitoring software that will allow users to receive usage data from compatible "smart meters" and optimise their energy use, the internet company said this week. The program, called PowerMeter, will only work on homes and offices that are equipped with "smart meters" that detail the time and level of electricity consumption. Google will not actually make the device. Rather it will reach agreements with utilities and device manufacturers to use the software that it expects to result in energy savings of between 5% and 15%. The company said the move was part of its efforts to encourage a "smart grid" -- a next-generation transmission system that will allow consumers to feed power into the system and monitor their consumption so that they can use power when demand is low and rates are cheaper. Analysts said the move was designed to position Google to take advantage of a huge government investment in a smart grid as part of its stimulus package aimed at increasing United States energy efficiency. "Google's mission is to 'organise the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful', and we believe consumers have a right to detailed information about their home electricity use," said Google engineer Ed Lu in a blog posting. "We're tackling the challenge on several fronts, from policy advocacy to developing consumer tools, and even investing in smart grid companies. We've been participating in the dialogue in Washington, DC, and with public agencies in the US and other parts of the world, to advocate for investment in the building of a 'smart grid' to bring our 1950s-era electricity grid into the digital age," he wrote. -- Sapa-dpa  CONTINUES BELOW TOPICS IN THIS ARTICLE
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