InTouch & emPower: Combining Mobile Home Security & Energy Management

For those home owners hesitant to spend thousands of dollars on an energy management system, a cross-over solution does exist. Two innovative home security products provide extended functionality to allow their clients to remotely control home temperature and lighting from the same mobile interface they use to monitor and control home security. Many of these customers are also eligible for rebates and incentives provided by insurance companies for home security and state and local governments for energy efficiency investment.

InTouch from CPI Security

InTouch provides home owners remote control of lights, appliances, and temperature from the convenience of a mobile device such as a smart phone or tablet PC. The platform is tied directly to the user's home security system, and programs can be set to adjust settings based on the status of the home alarm. Additionally, the already robust security alert system has been extended through InTouch. Home owners can now receive text message or email alerts when automated energy settings have changed.

empower from Alarm.com

Alarm.com's emPower platform provides functionality similar to InTouch. In addition, emPower allows users to build out smart energy usage schedules to further control and minimize energize costs and "reduce their Carbon footprint(1)." Users can confirm these settings have taken hold by utilizing previously installed security cameras. Given all of this functionality, one must question the overall energy gains being made. The technology, however, is quite impressive.

Though the functionality of both of these applications pales in comparison to some of the more robust energy management applications available, the tie in to home security and ability to view live streaming video of the home make it an attractive option. A partnership between these home security systems and a pure energy management platform would have a unique competitive advantage in this growing market place.

NOTES:

(1) emPower Demo Video: http://youtu.be/-FqEBMScOzc Accessed May 7, 2011

Tendril Energize: Demand Response Goes Mobile

This month (May 2011), Tendril, the energy platform company based out of Boulder, CO, is set to launch their Energize application suite “that opens a dialogue between energy providers, ecosystem partners, and consumers to manage energy use in real time.”(1) Utilizing research in consumer behavior, the firm plans to provide its customers (utilities, commercial, and residential energy users) with a suite of services to help them better manage energy use, reduce costs and minimize waste. Included in this suite will be Demand Response, Load Control, and Energy Efficiency programs.

Previously, in March 2009, the firm had released the Vantage Mobile Platform (2), an extension of their Tendril Residential Energy Ecosystem (TREE) platform, with very similar functionality. This new platform offers significantly greater integration and control over both the home environment and participation in utility scale programs.

Key functionality:

Personal Goals and motivators: Behavioral research shows goals are a critical element to the successful implementation of energy efficiency programs. The Tendril Energize platform will allow users to set goals and track progress on these items from their mobile devices. Additionally users will be able to compare how they are performing relative to their neighbors, a model similar to the successful OPOWER platform.

Dialogue between utilities and customers: During peak usage periods, utilities will have the option to contact their customers directly via email or mobile device and provide incentives for them to participate in demand response events. As an example, on the hottest day of the summer I may be able to receive $10 in energy credit by turning my thermostat up to 75 degrees, all of which would be observable on the Tendril platform.

Usage data: Depending on the number of Zigbee related devices in the home, users can receive a monthly summary, daily lag, or 15-minute (or shorter) delay on meter data. If the user is a Home Area Network (HAN), energy usage for all Zigbee-enabled devices plugged into an outlet can be monitored and controlled.

Key Issues:

Cost of Zigbee technology: To fully leverage the mobile capability of the platform, those homes most wired and configurable will achieve the most significant results. Zigbee devices monitor usage at the outlet level. Currently, these outlets run for around $100 each, a hurdle many customers are not ready to leap.

Level of utility based incentives: Utilities will need a large customer base to achieve significant gains from any load control or demand response programs. Their initial incentive levels and frequency of these programs will be key to driving users to the platform.

Overall, this technology has all the elements of the dream smart phone energy management system. As Tendril forms more utility partnerships, the scope of their services may be difficult to beat.

NOTES:

(1) Tendril Energize White Paper. http://www.tendrilinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/r2_TEN-375-EnergizePrintCollateral.pdf Accessed May 7, 2011.

(2) Tendril Mobile Energy Management System. http://www.gizmag.com/tendril-mobile-energy-mangement-system/11198/ Accessed May 6, 2011

(3) Tendril Smart Grid platform promotional video