Real-time power consumption information will help solve energy crisis

10/29/2008 15:21

If we can provide an inexpensive method for the average consumer to monitor home power usage, I expect a reduction in consumption.  A simple photoelectric receiver monitoring a standard meter can easily provide this.  Tie it to a wireless transmitter and you have an inexpensive reporting system for the common household.  From there it is simple to input the electric company rate and get a real-time dollar per hour amount.  I envision a basic LED display that reports current power usage in watts and dollars, a daily report, and a monthly report.  Add the ability to set bounds and you can get a color coded indicator when your house is using more power than you would like.  An audible signal is also an option. 

By doing this, the natural tendency would be a reduction of power.  Home owners will naturally begin to turn off lights and devices.  They may even be inclined to purchase low power devices. 

The device to monitor a meter using a photoelectric device can be seen in this patent

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