Google's software, Google PowerMeter, is still being tested, but will soon be available to provide us each with detailed information on our energy usage. It is based on the iGoogle platform, where users create a customized page with widgets Web-based applications. We should all be very curious as to what my energy or electricity usage looks like at home--even when we're not at home.While the PowerMeter is designed to show a granular, real-time view of electricity-consuming devices, Google says that it will not share information with utility companies. Since this is Google, it could be a serious invasion to our privacy given everything else that they already know about us. Although giving them a list of appliances shouldn't be a big surprised since I Googled them prior to my purchases.
PowerMeter will teach us a lot about our energy consumption habits and its carbon emissions and impact on the environment. It can shape our lifestyles to be more energy efficient and automate appliances for us. And of course, saves money too. Sold. But President Barack Obama's stimulus plan does account for puting 40 million smart meters in U.S. homes and investing in the green economy. We don't need to be skeptical about Google since they swore off being evil in their motto. Plus, if this is coming from Google.org, it can't be thaaat evil.
Maybe there's something more at play with Google, as they're doing more than just giving you some technology to track how much electricity you're currently consuming -- they're also investing in an alternative energy source that could be even more in demand once the nation realizes just how much energy they're currently wasting. Check it out:
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