The innovative tool could arrive from United Kingdom, where 42 Technology, an engineering company, is developing a smart metering technology that will potentially allow energy suppliers to provide customers with itemised bills and statements showing their specific electricity consumption by appliance type. This detailed analysis, which can also be displayed in real time via a phone app, could give consumers the feedback and encouragement they need to start taking a more active role in managing their household electricity bills. For example, by deciding to limit usage of specific appliances, to switch devices off rather than leaving them on standby, or to replace outdated appliances with more energy-efficient models.
42 Technology’s patented Triple Ohm technology is being developed for integration into a new generation of smart meters for use in domestic or commercial environments. The technology works with all electrical appliances and has been specifically designed so that everything is embedded within the meter without consumers having to purchase any special switches, devices or other technology add-ons.
«42 Technology – explains Jeremy Carey, managing director of the company – has recently been awarded an Innovate UK Energy Catalyst 4 grant to help us demonstrate the feasibility of using Triple Ohm technology to identify different appliance types and to separate out their demands from a single metering point. We have already built a number of demonstration units, several team members have had them installed in their homes as part of a field trial, and we are starting to collect real usage data to show to potential development partners.»
