Design Concepts in Energy Displays

Arriving all the way from Brussels we can find a series of interesting design concepts to report and track household energy consumption. Most conventional products getting developed look more like traditional programmable thermostats, but this exhibition is anything but ordinary.

The Visual Voltage Exhibition at Design Vlaanderen is definitely pushing the envelope. The show hopes to provide information on electricity, energy consumption, and environmental issues. Whether or not you come to the conclusion that any of these concepts are practical, they at least give you an opportunity to think about it in an entirely different light.

With Power Smart Pricing getting price information to our customers in an easy way is of utmost importance. We are constantly seeking and examining the ways in which our participants want and currently receive their information. Since the price of electricity changes each hour, ease of access to the information becomes a high priority.

In the past we have incorporated a great tool called The Price Light. It is an orb that changes colors in a range of blue (for the lowest prices) to red (the highest). We have documented data that shows that participants using the Price Light shifted more of their electricity to lower priced times. Due to technology restraints, reliability concerns, and cost we had to discontinue its use, but since we have been eager to fill its void with another device.

No one would have guessed that a light that changed colors could do some much. Check out the designs from the visual voltage exhibition here.

New Energy Star Standard for TVs

Energy Star is revising its qualifications for televisions effective on May 1, 2010 and again in 2012. One of the key changes is that all tv's over 50" will be required to meet the same energy standard to achieve the coveted sticker. In past versions energy efficiency was measured as the amount of wattage per square inch of screen.

The version 4.0 Energy Star sticker, the standard set for May 2010, will require 40 percent greater efficiency, while the version 5.0 sticker will require 65 percent more efficiency than a TV sold today.

This is an interesting approach for the EPA. In most cases with the Energy Star rating the emphasis is placed how much output you can get for the amount of energy required to use the application. The shift towards putting a cap on the maximum amount of energy to receive the rating has conservation in mind.

Ultimately, consumer need will drive technology innovation. As long as shoppers continue to place energy standards at a high priority, the television makers will have to match. All for one little sticker...

For more from CNET GreenTech.
Straight from the source at Energy Star.

Home Energy Savings Can be Confusing..

Many people choose to enroll in Power Smart Pricing because it gives them a way to save money off their monthly bills by using their electricity more wisely. In essence it gives customers another way to save. However it is important to not overlook the many ways households can lower their bills through more traditional approaches. In most cases, lowering overall energy consumption comes from incorporating methods that are specific to each households situation.

People have a tendency to leaves lights, tvs, and computers on while they are not being used. All of this extra cost comes from the same type of behavior. Fixing this issue first takes the recognition that you are in fact doing these things. Leaving something on is often due to forgetfulness, and therefore it can be difficult to keep track of something you are forgetting to do. No worries, just sit and think about it for a minute...

Other than personal behavior changes sometimes the extra energy used each month comes from inefficient system of household appliances and insulation. The new heating and air conditioning does not help much if the windows are left open. The washing machine's cool settings may provide the same cleaning power as the hot water setting, but if you cannot help but do it the same way you always have... well your bills will be more like they have always been too.

I recently found an article that can help clear up some of the common misconceptions about home energy solutions. Whether or not each of these improvements apply to work you are thinking of doing around your home or not, they provide a good lesson in how to think about savings and where they really come from.

Check out this recent article from Earth2Tech.

GE's Kitchen of the Future

GE has long had its hand in developing the emerging technologies that can take advantage of added integration with a smart grid. CNET recently wrote a story outlining what GE's vision is for the kitchen of the future. It describes how an internet-enabled network of appliances, homes, and utilities will expand the possibilities for enhanced energy saving and consumer, as well as utility, cost reduction.

One interesting aspect of the article is how much of the innovation relies on electricity price signals from the wholesale electricity market. As Power Smart Pricing participants, it is easy to see the benefit of a refrigerator that will wait to make ice or not use its defroster during high priced times, but most residential utility customers do not have access to the variable rates that would enable this technology to lower their monthly bills.

We are firm advocates of electricity pricing choice. We know that not all customers can benefit from real-time pricing, but most in fact can. Given the current low prices of electricity in 2009, over 99% of our customers are saving with Power Smart Pricing. This figure is significantly bolstered by the 27% average participants have been able to achieve this year. Considering the billions of dollars going into the implementation of Smart Grid technologies, its significant to note what households on Power Smart Pricing have been able to achieve in many cases without much more than picking up the telephone.

We are incredibly grateful for the efforts our customers have made and we are actively spreading your achievements nationwide to firmly give you the recognition you deserve as pioneers in this emerging field. It is clear that these new technologies along with real-time electricity pricing can save energy and money, but the biggest influence factor of all is simply the availability of a dynamic rate. The real opportunity lies with the average person in the average household. No assembly required.

CNET's Kitchen of the Future article is here.

Cash for Refrigerators

Business Week has put out an article this week outlining an upcoming federal rebate program that will give rebates and discounts on Energy Star rated appliances. Without a catchy title, people have declared the new incentive program "Cash for Refrigerators" (after the very popular Cash for Clunkers program).

The program includes $300 million set aside for consumers to purchase all kinds of energy efficient appliances from washers, dryers, refrigerators, and more...! Rebates will be given out in an amount ranging from $50 to $200 at the time of purchase.

Unlike the CARS program, buyers will not be forced to scrap their old appliances. But no worries because Ameren's Act On Energy portfolio includes a refrigerator recycling program. After you set up your pick up date, Ameren will come to your home and take your old working appliance and recycle it for you. If that's not easy enough, Ameren will give you (as in pay you) a $35 credit on your bill.

For more on "Cash for Refrigerators", read the Business Week article here.