-
Challenges in Educating the Customer Regarding New Infrastructure
PG&E made the headlines of today’s San Jose Mercury, as the California Public Utilities Commission ordered this investor-owned utility to devise ways for customers to refuse smart meters. The intent of this order is to placate critics of the meters who have expressed concerns over accuracy of these devices and the potential health effects of…
-
A Universal Remote via the iTouch
Walt Mossberg reviewed the Peel in today's issue of the Wall Street Journal , a device that turns the iPhone into a universal remote control via a WiFi and a Zigbee-connected infrared blaster. One advantage to this approach is there is no hardware additions to the actual iPhone or iTouch. This device will be available on the Apple…
-
Economy of Scope Key to Spread of Residential Energy Management
“Economy of scope” may be the thing that makes the residential connected grid work. Roy Perry of CableLabs uses this term to describe the idea that, thanks to a common IP infrastructure, multiple services help share the cost of infrastructure. In this video interview, he refers to a white paper he co-authored suggesting that a…
-
Protected: Unique Wireless Microphone Approach
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
-
From Smart Appliances to the Smart Grid
Wringing out efficiencies in the grid is big business, with AHAM (The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers) suggesting a $900M annual savings by shifting just 5% of power consumption from peak to off-peak times. One way to realize this sort of improved efficiency is by controlling the load through communication with so-called smart appliances. In…
-
Looking Forward, While Staying Customer Focused
Independent telecommunications companies are typically the technology leaders of their communities. They have to know what is coming in technology, while, at the same time, providing their customers with great service for what is needed today. By bringing broadband to the so-called last mile, they literally connect their rural communities to the World Wide Web.…
