Google ends PowerMeter monitoring service

27.06.11

Google has shut down its Google PowerMeter service.

Launched in 2009, the electricity-monitoring online platform has failed to engage enough users, says the company.

PowerMeter collects smart meter data to show consumers detailed information on electricity use, which could be viewed on smartphones. A study by The University of Oxford found that services like this could help consumers change their behaviour, and reduce their usage by up to 15%.

Bill Weihl, from Google Green Energy, said:

"We're pleased that PowerMeter has helped demonstrate the importance of this access and created something of a model.

“However, our efforts have not scaled as quickly as we would like, so we are retiring the service."

The service will end on 16 September 2011.

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