Google's PowerMeter

Where ever there is data, there is Google. Google's PowerMeter to help consumers track their energy use, has some pros and cons attached to it. Here is a brief analysis of my view on the same:

Firstly, what is a power meter?
It is another gadget by Google, which if supplemented by a Smart Meter, can provide real-time information on web for the users on the energy usage. The most important part is that the user can find usage, device-by-device, this means you can know how much your Television is consuming, how much your heater is consuming and so on....

What this means for consumers?
As Google says it, "If you can measure it, you can improve it". Can't agree more. Consumers can control the use of the appliances which are consuming more, there by reducing the energy bills...

What this means for Industry?
If Google do it, the world will look towards it. Smart Metering is a budding concept with over 40 Million Smart Meters installed across the globe so far, and about 100 Million meters planned in the next few years. With Obama's administration planning about 40 Million smart meters to be installed in the next 3 years, it is important that consumers buy into the concept of smart metering. Getting benefits out of smart metering need consumers to change their habitual way of consuming energy, which utilities companies cannot influence, and there by leading to a belief that the benefits of smart metering are more for Utility companies than consumers. Because of this there is not so much excitement about smart metering in consumers. Hopefully, this will help consumers realize the benefits of smart meters, in its real way. This also means that the concept will get more buy in from consumers as well.

What are the challenges?
As I have told, this is a gadget which will supplement the smart meter. This means 2 things:
1. The meter manufacturing companies and Utility companies need to buy in, and supplement the PowerMeter with their smart meter. The important thing to be considered here is, so far smart meters are not allowing data to be shared to the consumers. For this to happen, the functionality of smart meters need to be changed. With so many companies in the eco-system, it is to be seen what percentage of companies are ready to do this. With Obama and Google being good pals, a regulatory influence on making this mandatory to provide information to consumers, cannot be ruled out.
2. Changing the way people behave (or in this context people consume) is the toughest one to do. Commercial organizations, will probably the first ones to buy the concept since this will help them reduce their operational expenses to a greater extent. On a personal (residential) note, If I am paying an annual bill of 600 euros, will I be ready to spend time to analyze this data? hmm I doubt...

What can we see in the future?
- You will probably compare your usage with your friends/relatives usage
- You will probably activate and re-activate your devices remotely, i.e. automatically switch off your heater in the afternoon when you are away from home
- You will reduce your energy bills and there by secure energy supply for the future

All-in-all Google PowerMeter will be an interesting gadget from a consumer point of view, which I am looking to explore further...