MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - Google engineers have developed a software tool called Google PowerMeter, which is designed to show consumers their personal electricity consumption on a home computer. The software relies on smart meters as a data source and the company has been looking to partner with utilities that are installing (or have already installed) this equipment in their customers’ homes. Google has now announced its first PowerMeter partners.

Google’s initial utility partners include: San Diego Gas & Electric® (California); JEA (Florida); Glasgow EPB (Kentucky); White River Valley Electric Cooperative (Missouri); TXU Energy (Texas); Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (Wisconsin); Toronto Hydro–Electric System Limited (Canada); and Reliance Energy (India).

Google PowerMeter receives information from utility smart meters and energy management devices and provides customers with access to their home electricity consumption right on their personal iGoogle homepage. The company said it plans to expand its roll out with utilities later this year.

In addition to utilities, Google is also seeking partnerships with companies that can enable the implementation of its software. Its first such partner is Itron, a leading meter and data management company that serves over 8,000 utilities and is helping some of its customers, including San Diego Gas & Electric, integrate with Google PowerMeter.

For more information, visit www.google.org/powermeter/contactus.html.

Publication date: 06/08/2009