How would you like to be paid to save some energy? That is the concept behind “demand-response” a process in which energy companies pay users to use less power. There are a number of companies that are able to manage this process, but only one of them does it with style, by using the Energy Joule, designed by Ambient Systems (we mentioned them earlier today as the makers of the Ambient Orb)
Available only for users of Consumer Powerline’s
demand-response program, the
Energy Joule, or Home Joule as it is called now, is a fun and clever to get your weather forecast, current temperature and more importantly, your current electricity cost all in one little gadget. Like the
Ambient Orb, the Energy Joule changes color depending on what the current cost of electricity is. It will also let you know if there is a possibility of earning some cash back by diminishing your energy usage in that particular moment.
While the Energy Joule is certainly the more practical of the two gadgets – what with its numerical data and specific verbal directives on its clock-like face – we must say that we’re still a bit more partial to the subtler communication strategy of the pulsing minimalist orb. We’re waiting for Ambient to realize whats good for them and bring the Joule’s energy monitering technology to the Ambient Orb so we don’t have to track down a hack!
+ The Energy Joule
+ Consumer Powerline
+ The Ambient Energy Orb
Cool find Jorge. I’m thinking that even if the process doesn’t give cash back to the users (which I think is a pretty compelling incentive), users would know that their own bills will be lower based on the automatic feedback. It’s really about knowing what’s being consumed.
This idea is great! Every electricity provider should support this & models to pay back customers…when combined with homes which can create their own energy = instant partnership with local utilities & instant payback for eco minded!!!
[...] ENERGY JOULE: Get paid for your energy reduction concept Published August 30th, 2007 Social , Design From Inhabitat.com [...]
As it stands now,I reduced my cooling energy use in this manner:
I went to an evaporative cooler and put it on a timer. instead of running contineous,it comes on for 15 min then off for 30 minutes .
The on off schedule would of course depend on particular situations obviously and this is just one scenario.
It works well and i have easily cut my cooling energy use from 25-75% depending on each scenario ….
Question : When “they” begin to offer an incentive to reduce home energy usage,I really cant any longer….
I realize the following question is deviating from the topic a bit,but Ill just throw it out and see what constructive comments I get and may be able to use….
The real issue would occur if those in the govt decide to impose mandatory reductions of,of energy usage in your home by ,lets say 50% ,im trapped and will face fines or whatever, that will be imposed ,because I dont reduce my energy usage the requie=red amount. Yhat required amount will likely be based on my or our prior year usage which is as stated above quite reduced with no significant room for imprivement.