Google PowerMeter

News Flash, Now Read All About It, Google PowerMeter Available in San Diego

by Don Ames,  www.detectenergy.com,  publisher of the free e-newsletter, the Energy Spy Insider.

Google has stepped up to provide a free online program to help us capture the wireless signal from a smart meter and use that signal to monitor our power usage. By monitoring our power usage in real, right now time, we can better evaluate where we can conserve power. This is an energy saving program offered by Google and it's free. Problem is, only two utilities in the U.S. has joined with Google to offer this great program.

I have no idea what is taking so long. Google PowerMeter is ready - ready to go and provide a much needed service that stretches across the lines of private residential to broad commercial energy conservation. This is as big as a radioactive nuclear power plant that has sprung a leak. I just don't understand what is taking so long.

After all, Google has a pretty good name when it comes to technology and such stuff. Name recognition is good and I have searched all over the world with Google Search often enough that I would stake my "energy savings" on the fact that they know what they're talking about. What I can't understand is what's taking so long. Google has a program that works with the wireless signal from a smart meter that allows a person to capture that wireless signal and display it - in all it's glory - right on the ol' home computer screen.

This Google PowerMeter ( GPM ) thing could be as big as a leaking nuclear power plant because if enough households used GPM they would have a tool that would help them save so much energy that more nuclear power plants would not have to be constructed. Amen

There are millions of Smart Meters that have been installed across this energy hungry nation so why is it taking so long to get the Google PowerMeter program up and running? Google has this great free tool to monitor energy saving opportunities and it's only available through four power providers and two of them are in Europe.

That leaves just two  electric companies here in the United States that offer the connection with Google Power Meter. I think your lucky if you get your power from San Diego Gas & Electric or from Blue Ridge Electric of North Carolina.

What is Google PowerMeter?

Google PowerMeter is a free energy monitoring tool that helps you save energy and money. Using energy information provided by utility smart meters and energy monitoring devices, Google PowerMeter enables you to view your home's energy consumption from anywhere online.

How can I get Google PowerMeter?

To sign up, simply follow the Google PowerMeter link in the menu of your Blue Ridge Electric online account or your San Diego Gas & Electric online account. Or, purchase and install your own power monitor and use it to log in to GPM.

Why should I use Google PowerMeter?

Research shows that being able to see your electricity throughout the day, makes it easier to reduce your usage and save money. Google PowerMeter gives you convenient access to your electricity usage, anytime you want to view it. You can identify your electricity usage trends and talk to Blue Ridge Electric or San Diego about the best power usage to suit your lifestyle and save you money.

What if I do not get my power from San Diego or Blue Ridge, is there a way I can still use Google PowerMeter?

Yes there is, but it's not quit as free. A number of power monitors that you can purchase and install at your home also work with GPM. Here is a list of power monitors you can purchase that will interface with GPM.

• Blueline Innovations, USA and Canada, www.bluelineinnovations.com,  amazon -used $78 and up
• Brultech, USA and Canada,  www.brultech.com,  $177 and up
• Current Cost, USA Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand,  www.currentcost.com,  amazon - used $99 and up
• Digi, USA, Canada,  www.digi.com
• eGauge, USA, Canada,  www.egauge.net  ,  complete set from manufacture, $672
• PowerHouse Dynamics, USA, Canada, Caribbean, www.powerhousedynamics.com,  amazon - new $948
• The Energy Detective (TED), USA, www.theenergydetective.com  ,  from website, $120 and up.
• WattsUp,  USA, Australia,  www.wattsupmeters.com,  from website, $99 and up
• Wattvision,  USA,  www.wattvision.com ,  from website, $249
• Alertme, UK,  www.alertme.com , from website, $50 and up

What should I do concerning Google PowerMeter, monitoring my power usage and conserving power?

1.  If you get your power from San Diego Gas & Electric or Blue Ridge Electric in North Carolina, contact that power provider and sign up for Google PowerMeter today - take advantage of both the smart meter technology and the free Google program.

2.  Contact your power provider and ask about Google PowerMeter, encourage them to see about offering the service. Also, ask if they offer any other power monitoring service. Be pro-active, tell your provider that you received a smart meter whether you wanted one or not and now you want to monitor your own power usage.

3.  Choose a power monitor from the list above and install it yourself. Go online and sign up for the Google PowerMeter program.

Someday, all homes will have power monitors and will use smart home technology to conserve energy. It's not a bad thing, it's just a necessary thing as producing clean power becomes more important and as our appetite for more power continues to grow.

Thanks for stopping by detect energy, come back soon, but I won't leave a light on for you... 

For more from Don Ames visit www.detectenergy.com. Register for his free e-newsletter, the Energy Spy Insider.