The idea of providing consumers with a way to see energy consumption data got a lot of buzz in 2009, especially after two top names announced they were entering the space. Microsoft launched Microsoft Hohm in July, a few months after Google PowerMeter “turned on” in January. Both provide free online access to home energy data, with some analytics included.
So what’s been happening since these competitors went live? Progress is slow, but that’s not surprising. While it’s fairly easy to make energy data visible—complete with colorful graphs, charts and timelines–the data has to come from somewhere, and that’s the challenge. One approach is to partner with energy companies and pipe the data right into the application. As of now, Microsoft has three utility partners the West Coast, plus an agreement with Xcel, whose 3.4 million customers are in eight different states. At the end of 2009, Microsoft reported half a dozen new alliances in the pipeline. Meanwhile, Google already has ten utility providers onboard.
Google is also taking advantage of the other data-gathering approach: user-installed hardware devices. For example, homeowners can connect a monitor from The Energy Detective (TED) to their circuit box and see whole-house energy consumption in nearly real time. Data visualizations would then appear via a widget on their iGoogle page. Microsoft has indicated they may add this capability, but nothing so far.
Another big difference between the two products is apparent as soon as you visit their websites. Hohm offers a bright, information-rich online destination, complete with energy conservation tips, links to energy-related rebate programs, and plenty of social media connections. Hohm’s Facebook page has nearly 5000 fans (which is not a small number given the early stage of the product), and their Twitterstream is active and interesting. There’s also a blog.
Google’s approach to PowerMeter goes in the opposite direction, presenting the app as another basic service that can sit on your Google desktop. It seems likely individual consumers will be attracted to one product or the other, depending on whether they want their data wrapped in a friendly information package, or prefer their facts frill-free.
For a very interesting view of the two products and their respective roadmaps, see Greenbeat’s detailed comparison. Both Microsoft and Google are treating their energy apps as public service offerings rather than potential profit centers, and both are integrating their efforts into a broader set of green initiatives—so it will be interesting to see whether (or when) the concept begins to develop traction among consumers.
