Real-Time Online Energy Usage Dashboards

There has been quite some attention on the concept of “Energy Dashboards” lately, in particular with the recent announcement ofGoogle PowerMeter. The idea here is that online widgets show consumers their electricity consumption in near real-time, offering a more useful and actionable feedback than complicated monthly paper bills that provide little detail on consumption or how to save energy. In addition, putting such widgets on a personal website or online profile page makes one’s efforts more apparent, adds subtle forms of social pressure and solicits potential positive encouragements.