New investment is set to boost production of an award-winning efficient energy device.
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) is investing $2 million in clean-tech company Wattwatchers to help develop the power-measuring device.
The system shows real-time energy use, allowing consumers to take control of their power consumption.
The device means consumers no longer have to wait to receive their energy bill retrospectively, based on infrequent meter readings.
It enables business and personal customers to reduce bill shock and adapt their power usage as they go along.
Cloud-based measurement of solar energy
CEFC Investment Development Director Blair Pritchard describes the technology as a small, clamp-on internet device.
It works with a selection of cloud-hosted management interfaces showing real-time data.
“Equipment such as solar panels and solar hot water systems can underperform or waste power without consumers being fully aware,” Mr Pritchard says.
“Real-time data identifies where and when consumption is occurring,” he adds.
This allows consumers to pull back excessive consumption and adapt energy use to suit their budget.
Mr Pritchard says the technology is “an important development for rooftop solar owners looking to better manage their systems and on-site consumption”.
Efficient energy from popular rooftop solar
As CEFC CEO Ian Learmonth claims, high energy prices and the strong domestic uptake of rooftop solar make the smart device a perfect choice.
The technology will give Australian households and businesses more control over the way that they consume and produce energy, he says.
Because it works with a wide range of software, it can be used across Australian residential, commercial, industrial and utility services.
“We see it working alongside other smart technology applications, battery storage and microgrids,” Wattwatchers CEO Gavin Dietz says.
According to Mr Dietz, the company is looking to bundle a simple home energy management app with the device.
This free-of-charge option would help consumers manage their power consumption.
Online budgeting tools will allow householders to track electricity use and set alerts to help them save money.
