blog

Microsoft, GE, Google : Home Energy Monitoring

In January of 2010 we put up a post on the efforts of Google, Microsoft and Apple in the area of energy monitoring titled Energy Monitoring and the Big Three.  In the past 1o months, improvements have been made, deals have been signed, new products have been announced (and the opposite - no products - from Apple).   This post discusses the improvements Google and Microsoft have made in their offering, but also introduces GE's presence in the home energy arena with the Nucleus.

When discussing the difference in Google PowerMeter and Microsoft Hohm, Venturebeat.com states:

Hohm does so through a Web-based property that estimates household energy use and delivers custom-tailored recommendations for how to save energy to users. PowerMeter also shows users how much energy they are using and how much it is costing them in real time — directly on their iGoogle homepages so that monitoring energy use becomes a part of their daily internet routines

The Players and their products:

Apple - No real news yet! Although they've patented a device that works with a power line carrier and the HomePlug alliance.

Cisco - They are calling their solution a Home Energy Management solution and they use a device called a Home Energy Controller.  However, the device looks just like an iPad, so why not just have a system that communicates with an iPad or smart phone instead of having to buy a new electronic device?

Google PowerMeter - Works with:  Smart Meter or TED 5000 and AlertMe and the devices listed on this page (under the devices tab).

GE Nucleus - Works with: Smart Meter. Cnet.com recently had a good review of GE's Nucleus home energy monitoring unit.

Intel - They seem happy to design the chips and let another manufacturer make the hardware that will use the chips.  Earth2Tech has a nice post summarizing Intel's smart grid offering when it comes to home energy management.

Microsoft Hohm - Works with: Smart Meter or PowerCost Monitor and devices listed here.

Schneider - CNET has a good review of Schneider's Wiser energy monitoring platform

Verizon - Cnet covered Verizon's home energy monitoring solution titled Home Monitoring and Control. The official release is scheduled to be released in early 2011.

If you don't want to wait for the big players to come out with a product that fits your needs, you can always build your own DIY energy monitoring system, or check out our list of all the energy monitoring systems that we know of.

***If you like this, check out our post on smart home communication protocols.