Around this time last year, this blog made reference to Google’s ‘Powermeter’, with a pessimistic preditction that it would take at least 5 years for large scale adoption of this new innovative technology.
Whilst we’re probably still 5 years away fr0m a good proportion of the market, taking up the use of this service, which inevitably must be driven by suppliers, there is one stand-out utility here in the UK which is driving change.
First:Utility has integrated it’s own Smart Metering technology into the Google ‘Powermeter’ application, allow it’s customers to have real-time access to their energy usage. What’s important is that First:Utility have not had to develop a tool or application to help publish their customers energy usage information.
One of the most daunting parts to technology build is creating a system / service / solution that is usable, and can keep up-to-date with technoogy advancements. Partnering with Google, First:Utility will get this in spades, and will also be able to influence the future developments of the ‘Powermeter’.
The sooner the rest of the UK’s energy utilities get on board the better – in the meantime, if you want real ownership of your energy bills, you’d better make your way to First:Utility.
