I copy below an interesting press release with the title noted above, regarding the "smart metering" of power consumption.
I have blogged previously on Google`s efforts to speed the introduction of Smart Meters.
Perhaps we will also see a little more focus on the negative role that our widespread public utility monopolies have played in inflating energy costs and dampening conservation, competitive pricing and green options, and greater interest in market freedom in the power sector?
Not simply greater information, but freer markets is what we need. This would accomplish more than more "green" mandates. Other libertarian ideas are here. As my favorite free-market blogger, Rob Bradley, once said so well: "a
free-market approach is not about “do nothing” but implementing a whole
new energy approach to remove myriad regulation and subsidies that have
built up over a century or more."
"Citizens need better access to information about how they use energy -
and they need the tools to use less."
Today,
Google, GE, The Climate Group, and NRDC, supported by a broad group of
companies and organizations, called on governments across the world to
support citizens' access to real-time information on home energy consumption. (Read the statement)
In homes, technology that makes energy consumption visible in the home
can help people save not only carbon but electricity costs. Our recent case studies at www.smart2020.org
show that some homeowners were able to save 40 per cent on their
electricity bills from better understanding their patterns of energy
consumption.
The statement says "The bottom line is: We can't solve climate change
if people are in the dark about how they use energy in their own homes.
Citizens need better access to information about how they use energy -
and they need the tools to use less."
By empowering citizens with information and tools for
managing energy, national and sub-national governments, businesses and
organizations around the world can harness the power of hundreds of
millions to fight climate change and save consumers millions of dollars
in the process.
Specifically, all countries should ensure that their citizens have access to basic information including:
- Near real-time or real-time home energy consumption
- Pricing and pricing plans
- Carbon intensity, including source and carbon content of electricity
Today's
call for supporting citizens' access to information can be achieved
with technologies that exist today which can be rapidly deployed. To
get there, countries can provide incentives for energy monitoring
equipment and set rules for consumer access to information. They can
also enact stronger energy efficiency standards, as well as provide
financial incentives and variable energy pricing plans.
Dan Reicher, Director of Climate Change and Energy Initiatives, Google, said: "By providing people with real-time home energy information we can make
a major down payment on tackling climate change while saving money and
creating exciting new industries and jobs."
Steve Fludder, VP of GE's ecomagination, said: "This is not future technology that were talking about. We can do this now."
Molly Webb, Director of Strategic Engagement, The Climate Group
said: "Just as user-generated content drove Web 2.0, then
user-generated energy information and 'the internet of things is our
future. With a strong global agreement to tackle climate change, ICT
infrastructure will be a key enabler in the short term of carbon
efficiency on a global scale."
The statement comes after yesterday's launch of SMART 2020: Pathways to Scale
which called for energy information for all. This information can be
used across the wider economy by citizens and businesses to enable a
range of innovations in services around energy and fuel efficiency. The
Climate Group is tracking these initiatives with measurable results on www.smart2020.org.
Read the statement here.