energy efficiency

• Google’s already tackled the gathering and organization of our world’s data, and they’ve done a pretty good job at it,  I must say.  Now, Google is making an attempt at gathering and organizing people’s energy usage data for the benefit of the consumer and subsequently, the environment.
• Google’s PowerMeter is an online tool they’ve been developing which will help consumers track and manage their own energy consumption in near real-time.  Although the tool, as for now, is being tested only with Google employees, the data giant is looking to partner with utilities and next generation smart meter manufacturers to bring it to consumers.
• Don’t get too excited as this may be a little down the road.  First off, even if the free tool does become available to iGoogle users, they must have a smart electricity meter for their data to be retrieved.  Good thing that new stimulus bill is calling for 40 million additional smart meters.
• If all goes as planned, the PowerMeter could be Google’s single most beneficial effort towards climate change.  Atleast they’re making pretty impressive claims;

Studies show that access to your household’s personal energy information is likely to save you between 5–15% on your monthly bill, and the potential impact of large numbers of people achieving similar efficiencies is even more exciting. For every six households that save 10% on electricity, for instance, we reduce carbon emissions as much as taking one conventional car off the road.

• UPDATE:  Google just announced which utilities and customers will be able to try out the service first.  Those are as follows:

• Glasgow EPB
  Location: Glasgow, Kentucky
  Customers: 7,000
• JEA
  Location: Northeast Florida
  Customers: 417,000
• Reliance Energy
  Location: Mumbai, Delhi and Orrisa, India
  Customers: 6.8 million
• San Diego Gas & Electric
  Location: San Diego County and Southern Orange County, California
  Customers: 1.4 million
• Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited
  Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  Customers: 684,000
• TXU Energy
  Location: Texas
  Customers: 2.2 million
• White River Valley Electric Cooperative
  Location: Christian, Douglas, Ozark, Stone and Taney Counties, Missouri
  Customers: 40,000
• Wisconsin Public Service
  Location: Northeast and Central Wisconsin, adjacent corner of Upper Michigan
  Customers: 450,000

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