Utility customers in the U.S. are still waiting for widespread roll out of Google PowerMeter, the search engine's new home energy monitoring system that allows users to view their energy consumption on their iGoogle homepages in real time. And yesterday, German homeowners and businesses using utility Yello Strom beat them to the punch.
Now, all of Yello Strom's customers have the ability to add the PowerMeter widget to their iGoogle pages to actively keep tabs on how much energy they are using in 15-minute intervals. The utility is the first in Europe to partner with PowerMeter. It helps that Yello distinguishes itself by using home broadband networks to transmit energy information. Most smart metering systems need to tap into wireless networks hosted by third-parties like AT&T. It makes sense for Google to capitalize on existing home networks.
PowerMeter's performance in Germany could change the way it is implemented in the U.S. Inevitably, Google will collect feedback from users in Yello's coverage area before it deploys PowerMeter to the masses. Right now, it has deals with nine utilities, including Yello and U.K.-based Glasgow EPB.
Google achieved a significant milestone earlier this week, landing a deal with Energy Inc. to use its Energy Detective Device to transmit energy consumption data. It's first partnership with a device maker, the deal will allow PowerMeter to operate in homes and businesses where a smart meter has yet to be installed. Google says it plans to continue adding device partners, as well as a dozen more utility partners before the end of the year.
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