The German utility company Yello Strom is now shipping a Windows CE-based electricity meter that allows customers to launch power consumption via a web page. The Sparzahler ("savings meter") can also transmit data to third-party energy management software such as Google's "Google PowerMeter," the companies...
Yello and Microsoft used the CeBit conference in March 2008 to announce a strategic partnership, designed to result in the development of the Sparzhler. Now, the device is ready to run, and rolling out to Yello's more than 1.4 customers in Germany, the utility says.
Approximately the same size as a traditional electricity meter, as shown below, the Sparzhler is said to have been styled by the well-known Ideo design firm. The device includes an embedded computer running Windows CE, an LED readout, and a broadband communication module that transmits consumption data to the utility -- or, potentially, to a third party -- every fifteen minutes. According to Yello and Microsoft, the device uses TCP/IP and offers broadband; whether it uses the electrical grid or requires some other form of connectivity wasn't specified, however.
The Sparzhler matches standard electricity meters in size (Click to enlarge)
Microsoft says the Sparzhler talks to the Yello data center, which is equipped with Microsoft software such as Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft IIS 6.0, and Microsoft SQL Server 2005. By logging onto a personal web page, the utility's customers can view graphical information (below) about their home or business energy consumption, courtesy of Microsoft's Silverlight technology, according to the companies. It's said those using Windows Vista or Windows 7 can also view consumption data via a SideShow gadget.
Customers can review electricity consumption, updated every 15 minutes (Click to enlarge)
Meanwhile, Yello and Google announced today that the two companies would partner to create a link between the Sparzhler and the upcoming Google PowerMeter software offering. Undergoing testing with Yello and eight other utilities around the world, including Reliance Energy in India and San Diego Gas and Electric in California, Google PowerMeter will let users monitor power consumption via "gadgets" on their iGoogle home pages, Google says.
Martin Vesper, Yello executive director, said Google PowerMeter "is an additional service that our Sparzhler customers can take advantage of free of charge. Those who elect to do so can sign up at iGoogle and install the Google PowerMeter gadget soon. This offer makes the product even more valuable."
According to Microsoft, the average home in the U.S. or Europe has about 20 always-on appliances, which cumulatively cost their owners millions of dollars or Euros per year in energy costs. With the Sparzhler, consumers will be able to see the effect of these "vampire" devices for themselves, the company adds.
A German-language video about the Sparzhler Source: Yello Strom (click to play)
Further information
Neither Yello nor Microsoft provided information about the Sparzhler's processor, memory complement, or price, but more information may be found on the Microsoft website, here.
Meanwhile, Google's announcement of its partnership with Yello, along with more details of the forthcoming Google PowerMeter software, may be found here.
