Google Measures Energy to Conserve Energy
Why measure? Because measurement compels behavior. I’ve written about this previously in my article on the Trash Guy, but now Google is taking note:
”Studies show that being able to see your energy usage makes it easier to reduce it.”
This is the driver for their new Google PowerMeter project, which envisions a future where access to energy informatics is through your desktop. The project, an initiative of Google.org (the philanthropic research arm of Google), provides this as their pitch:
“How much does it cost to leave your TV on all day? What about turning your air conditioning 1 degree cooler? Which uses more power every month — your fridge or your dishwasher? Is your household more or less energy efficient than similar homes in your neighborhood? … At Google we’re committed to helping enable a future where access to personal energy information helps everyone make smarter energy choices. To get started, we’re working on a tool called Google PowerMeter which will show consumers their electricity consumption in near real-time in a secure iGoogle Gadget. We think PowerMeter will offer more useful and actionable feedback than complicated monthly paper bills that provide little detail on consumption or how to save energy.”
I like it. I’ve always wanted to have a simple way to monitor my home energy usage that doesn’t require me to buy an expensive device like the Black & Decker EM100B Energy Saver Series Power Monitor– that probably doesn’t give me the granularity of information I’m looking for anyway.