US : GE Provides Consumers With Their Power Profile
Published on General news | January 11, 2010, 8:56
The new system gathers information from smart meters, appliances and thermostats into a single panel which enables consumers understand and manage energy consumption in a better manner.
An in-home, multi-function energy information panel has been launched by GE providing its customers with insight and control allowing them to manage their energy consumption and costs. The user-friendly, touch-screen panel has a wireless connection to a home’s smart meter, appliances and thermostats, via ZigBee or Wi-Fi, to collect information, manage consumption and supply real-time data resulting in better energy options.
The panels are the result of a development effort between GE and OpenPeak, Inc., a leading communications technology developer. The device looks like a tabletop picture frame and can be placed virtually anywhere within a home. The panels are available to consumers through their utilities today. Functionality is dependent on the utility’s selection of applications.
The data from GE smart meters coupled with dynamic pricing programs from utilities will show customers the most appropriate times to perform energy consumptive tasks, such as dish washing, clothes drying and pool pumps operating. The panels are even able to be used for controlling smart appliances, thermostats and heating and cooling devices—reacting in real time to pricing and demand fluctuations. Eventually, the device can be seen as an energy consultant, interpolating data and providing recommendations for a better management of energy usage.
“Information is power. Give consumers more information about their energy usage and they’ll find ways to make better decisions,” - Bob Gilligan, vice president—transmission and distribution for GE Energy. “As part of our smart grid suite of offerings, the panels will empower consumers to better manage their energy usage based on real-time information. The panels will connect consumers with the knowledge they need to be better energy stewards and take charge of their energy use and carbon footprint.”
“Combining other useful information and entertainment applications with energy management information increases the frequency of consumer interactions with the device,” - Dan Gittleman, CEO of OpenPeak. “And frequent consumer engagement means a greater number of opportunities to communicate important energy consumption and conservation information.”
