Using "off-the-shelf hardware", we have modified a Kill-a-Watt(TM) power meter to "tweet" (publish wirelessly) the daily KWH consumed to the user's Twitter account (Cumulative Killowatt-hours). We are releasing this project as an "Open source hardware" project - in other words, anyone can make these, modify them and make a commercial product from the ideas and methods.
Here's how it works: The modified Kill-a-Watt uses a "super-cap" to slowly recharge itself. Once there is enough power it turns on the Xbee wireless module which transmits the data to a nearby computer (or internet connected microcontroller, like an Arduino). Once the power usage for the day is recorded it uses a predefined Twitter account (it can be your own) to publish your daily KWH consumption for the day. Multiple units can be used for an entire household.
We're publishing the source, schematics and the idea for others to run with. Energy change and consumption can happen many ways; we feel there is a social imperative and joy in publishing one's own daily KWH. By sharing these numbers on a service like Twitter users can compete for the lowest numbers and also see how they're doing compared to their friends and followers.
*Note: We are in testing now, we'll run it at Green Gadgets if requested (http://twitter.com/tweetawatt)
12 Comments
niche, maybe. elitist? hardly!
I like this and it's certainly inventive, but it somewhat reinforces the elitism that many find in green products. <br><br>This is only of use to a select few: those with the money and time for smart phones and micro-blogging. While every bit of awareness helps, <i>very many</i> people are left out. I think, though, that its basic idea has a lot of potential in broader applications.
Yay! 300th vote :) GL Limor.
published code, schematics and assembly instructions are at http://www.ladyada.net/make/wattcher thx!
This is a great project and I actually tried to convince a buddy of mine to look into something like this a couple months ago. Does anyone know when the source and schematics will be published publicly? Thank you for your efforts!
no fair! you can't post working hardware to a design competition! go get out your photoshop and show us something that defies all laws of thermodynamics/physics/ROI like the rest of the entries. <br> F'ing engineers.
Information is king. Just like how we keep ourself informed with our banks or shares, if we can be informed for our usage then that should make a world of difference. We are psycologically wired to function if the info is constantly feeded to us.
This is a great idea .We are infact developing next generation smart energy solution for consumer as well as for electricity grid. Like to talk to like minded person
This is terrific. Perhaps Mr. Obama should have one of these for the White House. Then we can all see how much juice the feds are really using.
Love this!
This is a great idea for energy efficiency surveyors. They could plug a bunch of these in a home and it would let you monitor in real time what the energy demands are without having to be on site. These will be manufactured.
I like that this project is here-and-now real, ready to start making a difference today.
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