DP4: Energy Conservation

We are now into our fourth design project. This one is sponsored by PG&E and is centered around reducing energy use through behavior modifications, which are realistically the only method of energy reduction that can be effective in the very short term (next two years) to deal with the energy crisis. Our interim presentation is today, and I am a bit concerned about how our ideas will go over with the representatives from PG&E as well as our professor. After doing a lot of needfinding interviews and looking at what devices are currently available for home energy monitoring, we've concluded that a snazzy new interface for a smart meter is not really what is most needed right now. Instead, we're proposing that PG&E take the devices already available to monitor energy consumption (like the Vera system, for example, at www.micasaverde.com) and make then afordable and easy to access. The fact that these devices are not beautiful or perfect yet will not matter to the early adopters of home monitoring technology. There is a group of energy consumers that is quite concerned with their efficiency and very willing to try new technologies, like Peter who we interviewed. By enabling this small subset of consumers to try out these technologies NOW, instead of trying to develop the perfect energy interface first, PG&E can leverage the experiences and input of the initial users both in designing more targeted monitoring devices and in spreading personal stories from the early adopters to their larger consumer base in order to motivate the next wave of adopters.