Tracking Energy: the basic concept

Birth

Somewhere in 2006 James Burke and I sat together to cook up something new. One of the things that came out was “what if we could track the power usage of any device in the house?” It came to some basic concepts and moments of “Wow! This is great.

Open source

After 2 years we decided to make it an open source idea. We love the idea, but are not the kind of people to build a business around it.

What is so great, we think?

1. The open source approach could make it possible to go for a “not for profit” approach as wel.
2. The tracking + user feedback (read on to finf out what this is) allows you to find quick and practical ways to save energy on stuff you do not need or is over age.
3. The profits made on sales (when it would become commercially available) could be used to sponsor “energy awareness” and green programs / a green “brand” around the globe (yeah this is kind of wishful thinking, but who knows.)
4. All materials (even the tracking device) could be made so that it is recyclable, which is fun.

A simple diagram

Basic concepts:

1. Power Usage: Each device uses power.
2. Tracking of usage: By connecting the devices to sockets with a Tracker, the power usage of every connected device can be tracked. (Each tracker can be set to represent a device or group. Like “the fridge”, “My TV” or “My bundle of devices in the living room”.)
3. Data Sharing: on request each Tracker in a socket can send the tracked data to a computer requesting the data. This can be wireless and done via BlueTooth.
4. Storage: The tracked data is then stored on the recieving machine.
5. Visualization: Using statistics showing your usage in power, money and CO2 it gives you all insight per device and in total on your footprint to this world.

“Wakoopa for devices”:

A friend of ours has a company called Wakoopa. It tracks the usage of software and advices you what other software could be handy for you.
It is not hard to imagine a similar service for hardware devices based on the tracking data. “Your fridge is using X-amount of power each month. XYZ amount of people are using a fraction. This is a list of the fridges they are using.”

Awareness

Like a leaking tap, each sleeping device in your house is leaking power by consuming a small amount of power. Very likely some of them are rarely or never used. Some of them are becoming old and can be replaced by better alternatives. By becoming aware which device uses what, you can consciously switch and unplug devices you do not use and replace the old ones that consume more than needed.

Also, once the (anonymous) list of usage from other users become public knowledge, you can start searching for cheaper devices and solutions.

Security

Each device is setup in such way that it is only readable within the house and/or by a specific key. It is not cool to have outsiders listening to what devices you have running inside your home.

Natural materials

The PowerTracker could be made out of many “green” materials.