Monitor Energy and Save Energy: Picowatt is your Smart Grid at Home
Posted by Damien Cabral on Tue, Feb 09, 2010
Are you
tired of listening to all this talk of installing the smart grid and
not seeing results? Well why don’t you install a smart grid technology yourself? Now you can!
Picowatt, a Rochester New York based start-up, is building Wi-Fi enabled smart plugs and putting homeowners in charge of their energy usage. Picowatt produces smart plugs that are strategically placed throughout the home to
minimize energy usage and
report real-time on energy consumption. The smart plug device is easily installed by placing it over an existing outlet.
The Picowatt plugs are essentially miniature routers running a Linux operating system. Each plug runs independently and collects data and controls the power released to the attached devices. Devices can be controlled remotely or set on automatic timers to control energy flow to appliances and home electronic devices.
The Picowatt system provides real-time data that can easily be summarized in energy usage reports. Both reporting and operation can be controlled from a traditional PC, Facebook Application, and even your Smart Phone.
Some useful applications of the Picowatt smart plug include:- Set the system to run you dishwasher during off-peak hours to lower your utility bills.
- Have the smart plug shut your refrigerator off for three hours overnight. You will save energy and your food will stay cold as long as you don’t open the refrigerator during this time frame.
- Eliminate standby power by using a smart plug on televisions and computers.
The Picowatt smart plug system will be released on Earth Day, April 22nd, on
Amazon.com for $79 per device. The manufacture claims you can save from 20-30% on your yearly utility bills. I know I will be buying one of these right away. What other purchase allows you to save money and comes with the same cool factor?…Well maybe a
Solar Hot Water system from Repower Home.
