In this corner Microsoft Hohm, and in the opposing corner Google Powermeter.
Well Microsoft finally entered the consumer energy monitoring space. A few months ago, I discussed the entry of Google into the energy space with its product called Powermeter. Last week, Microsoft announced its entry into the game with Hohm.
Hohm is an active beta product built on the Windows Azure cloud operating system. Hohm also uses Bing (the new Microsoft search engine) and the Microsoft advertising platform. Advanced analytics for Hohm is licensed from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the US Department of Energy. (this currently limits the use of the software to US only)
The system provides personalized energy-saving recommendations for the consumers and the utilities get a platform for "a cost-effective and scalable tool that allows them to supply their customers with comprehensive information regarding their energy consumption" according to the Microsoft press release.
Microsoft is partnering with the following utilities during the beta:
Puget Sound Energy (http://www.pse.com/)
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (http://www.smud.org/en/Pages/index.aspx)
Seattle City Light (http://seattle.gov/light)
Xcel Energy (http://xcelenergy.com/Company/Pages/Home.aspx)
Microsoft is also working with the leading smart meter companies like Itron and Landis+Gyr.
Both Google's Powermeter and Microsoft's Hohm seem dependent on the smartmeter technology to work. Will this slow the growth of this movement as pilots are all still in the early stages?
You can follow the details or even request to join the beta on Hohm from the links below.
Home page: http://microsoft-hohm.com/
Blog: http://blog.microsoft-hohm.com/
Give Us Feedback: http://feedback.microsoft-hohm.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/microsofthohm (@microsofthohm)
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?