Google PowerMeter energy tracker works without smart meter

Google has connected a home electricity-monitoring device to its Web-based PowerMeter application, part of Google's strategy to seed the market for home energy tools.

Google on Monday said that PowerMeter works with TED 5000, a small-screen monitor that provides a real-time read-out of home electricity use. TED, which stands for The Energy Detective, is one of many monitors aimed at giving consumers more detailed information so they can find ways to reduce energy use.

Google's PowerMeter energy monitor working on a smart phone.

(Credit: Google)

In combination with PowerMeter, a person can view details, such as real-time electricity use and weekly trends from a Web browser or using a smart phone running iGoogle.

Until now, Google has been working with utilities that are installing smart meters that communicate usage information in regular intervals rather than just once a month. Now, a person can use PowerMeter without having to have a smart meter installed.

Although it's straight forward, installation of the TED 5000 is not for everybody. It requires a technically savvy or an electrician to remove the cover of a home's electrical panel.

Google is looking to expand the number of devices that work with PowerMeter. It also intends to expand beyond simple energy monitoring. Planned features include ways to control home appliances to take advantage of off-peak electricity rates and demand-response programs, Dan Reicher, the director of climate and energy initiatives at Google.org, said in May.

[GVForman]

Ted is a great device, and the support line is pretty good. But be forewarned, if you have any whole house line filter it will probably not work. The earlier versions of the device used X10 technology that can be filtered out by some whole house surge suppressors.

[ssamdani]

Wonder what would be the implications for GE with its smart grid project

[jacomo]

Still missing the key components: The programmable Interface device that works with the Home Thermostat plus the other Home Automation devices (Alarm Systems/Video Surveillance/Door Entry) that the homeowner wants to program, manage and receive remote alerts when systems surpass the paramteres set by user.
These monitoring systems are cool but do not really allow one to manage the services.

Jim A.

[obmot]

I contacted them to see if the unit will work with an older round-fuse type box instead of a circuit breaker panel as shown in their installation material. Havent heard back from them. Darn I want one of these NOW!

[DonnaDowney]

I'm a 15 year energy management industry veteran and am afraid that the residential consumer is being impressed by the fact that this is a Google effort, and that this will help you reduce consumption. Until it interfaces with home automation systems, or devices that can shut down the water heater, ac, etc, it does nothing except show your consumption data. Until the consumer knows equipment consumption patterns, they can't make intelligent energy efficiency decisions. And remember, no matter how much you conserve with your hot water heating, hvac, dishwasher etc., until your windows and doors aren't leaking conditioned air, you're still wasting your energy dollars.

Here are my thoughts yesterday from my website and fed to Twitter, Facebook, and Friendfeed:
Although this sounds like a great idea to many people, my energy management marketing instincts are telling me that:
1. the people that will be most interested in this product will be younger consumers, who may not own their residence and won't want to buy one for a rental.
2. Landlords might use this product as a feature of a rental, since it is low cost.
3. The residences where it might really aid in energy consumption will typically be larger and need more discrete energy monitoring, which isn't offered by this system.
4. If you follow basic energy efficiency recommendations, you'll save energy and won't need to spend $200. Check these out, courtesy of Flex Your Power, California's statewide energy efficiency consortium. http://www.fypower.org/res/tools/energy_tips.html
5. Utility companies provide this info to you either online or in hard copy on your bill, without having to pay $200.

Think of the energy that will be saved by one less TED 5000 needing to be produced!

Good to see they've got the other pieces supposedly on the way, but this is too much hype without any horsepower behind it!

[henchan]

Agree with your comments DonnaDowney.
As a landlord whose tenants have all utilities included in their rent, I am considering this. I imagine that my tenants, mostly in their twenties, would in many cases reduce power consumption on the basis of just better information. But I would not rule out offering financial incentives either.

My property is in Tokyo where power is 100v and 50hz (compared to 120v and 60hz) in N. America. Unfortunately, I am not savvy enough to understand whether it would work here. Every other device from USA I have tried does work, but monitoring power use is a bit special.

[carlhage]

The TED5000 is a nice device, but with a starting price of $200 it's pretty expensive. It's not a whole lot more complex than the wireless indoor-outdoor weather systems, available for $30-50. The ethernet port is a little more complex, but 4 port routers are under $50.