Google is working on a prototype system called the Google Powermeter to help energy consumers monitor and track their energy consumption. It would require something called a 'smart meter', a new method that utility companies are upgrading to, and Google's prototype product, the Google Powermeter. This would save the utility company from sending a worker to read your power meter every month. Instead, your power reading would be sent over a secure wireless signal to the utility company... AND, the service would be free!
Google hopes to work with utility companies to provide a service to energy consumers who want to view a break down of their electricity usage. If you know what, when, and how you are consuming energy (as seen on the picture above) , you are likely to save 5%-15% on your energy bill every month. Google claims that if the entire United States were to really utilize a program like the one they are implementing, the energy savings would amount to the equivalent of removing 50 million cars off of the road!
...Take a look: http://www.google.com/powermeter/about/index.html
