Via Earth2Tech, an interesting report on Google & technology firms’ thoughts on the smart grid stimulus plan. As the article notes, Google is placing heavy emphasis on the consumer side of the equation – with which we agree: both for electricity AND water:
“…More interesting is Google’s comments on involving consumer applications and smart meter rollouts in the smart grid funding allocation. Google, which has been working on the online energy data tool PowerMeter and has taken a keen interest in keeping energy data in the hands of the user, writes:
Empowering electricity consumers with new information, tools and choices to manage energy should be a main driver of the Smart Grid Investment Grants. The NOI [Notice of Intent] merit review criteria do not reflect the important role that consumers in all customer classes will play in building a smarter grid.
Google wants the grant money to be specifically used to deploy and encourage consumers to buy smart grid technologies that empower them to manage their energy consumption. Google says that includes adding language to the funding draft that says “customers are eligible to apply for grants” and requiring most of the smart grid grant applications to detail how they will benefit consumers and how that benefit will be reported. Presumably Google is referring to all those new energy management tools coming onto the market this year (here’s 10 Energy Management Tools to Use).“
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