Australian households to be able to remotely track and monitor electricity usage

Australian householders will soon be able to monitor their electricity usage and remotely switch appliances on and off via their mobile phone.

New technology developed in Newcastle, Australia by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization ( CSIRO) will allow smartphone enabled, real-time tracking of electricity use, saving money for residents.

The technology, known as Eddy, is being commercialized by Australian company HabiDapt, and is being tested in the Western Australian city of Perth.

By using a smartphone, laptop or tablet, Eddy tracks electricity use, collects and analyses the data, and makes recommendations to help residents save money on future electricity bills.

It will also allow users to manipulate the power consumption of household appliances, by controlling air conditioners and water systems.

CSIRO lead researcher, Glen Platt said the simple design was made to make tracking electricity use simpler and cheaper.

"This unique tool is all about giving people more control over their energy and helping them to save money," he said in a statement on Friday.

"Using a simple online dashboard, people can see how their energy use is tracking and make adjustments to reduce costs.

"The tool really highlights how easy it is for people to make big savings on their energy bill without impacting on their lifestyle."

The technology also engages users by offering discounts for participating in "demand management" programs.

"With the option of taking part in demand management schemes, the system can also reward households for using less electricity during peak energy periods."

The system uses world-first technology, and incorporates cloud- based software and mini meters that are similar to ones installed in every home's meter box.

The meters use a house's Wi-Fi connection to link the cloud to a small internet communication device in the house. Once connected, the appliances can be remotely controlled.

The technology is currently being trialed in Perth and the northern Australian town of Townsville, but HabiDept chief executive officer Stephen Kubicki said he hoped it would one day become an Australia-wide and eventually worldwide program.

"As well as giving households tools to understand and manage their energy, Eddy lets people participate in the energy market by reducing peak demand in ways that, until now, have only been available to large-scale commercial consumers," he said in a statement on Friday. Endi