Google PowerMeter is now dead.

I noticed the following post by Google with regards to their Google PowerMeter service. This is an online service which enables people to provide their raw data from a device attached to their electricity system and obtain reports on their usage. At some point large companies like Google have to determine whether or not a service is commercially viable and if it isn’t, they need to close it down.

As there are a number of products on the market advertising as being compatible with Google PowerMeter as a selling point, you should be aware this service will cease on September 16, 2011.

Google PowerMeter (retiring September 16, 2011). ... Read More

Having graphs of your usage is a good technique in getting a graphical representation of your usage which can make it easier to see trends in power usage. In the sample graphs I’ve seen you can clearly see the morning and night time peaks. You can see where the refrigerator turns on and off and you can see the always on background use of which quite a bit of the background power usage is from standby devices. Knowing how your power is being used helps you determine strategies to reduce your power.

I didn’t have access to graphical tools so I used the stated wattage used for devices such as light fittings and then measured the power usage using a power meter. By using the Energy Cost Calculator I was then able to determine an indicative figure for electricity usage for appliances. The end result with a fairly small change in our family’s behaviour we reduced our power usage to around half. It really was very easy to do.

Whilst I don’t think it is necessary to have an online service such as Google PowerMeter, I do think it is handy to have a tool which can show you your usage over time visually. In any case, Google PowerMeter will certainly not be an option in the near future.

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au