About continued...

These readings are aggregated and relayed by the 433 MHz wireless transmitter to the remote receiver/monitor. The receiver computes the approximate power use, energy cost and greenhouse gas generation and displays the results on a large portable LCD screen. Consumers can input specific country currency and voltage, electricity tariff rate, greenhouse gas conversion factor and peak load alarm value.

The development of this real-time utility monitor, located at the point of use, provides consumers with instant feedback on the cost of operating appliances in the home and assists them to positively modify their behaviour.

The two Australian inventors of the product perceived a consumer need for an easy-to-read portable electricity monitor located indoors. Small business and light industrial users could also use the product to make energy savings.

Conventional electricity revenue meters of the rotating disc type are difficult to read. Even newer digital revenue meters are not consumer friendly due to their complexity and remote installation in switchboards. Consequently, consumers do not receive any feedback about the amount of energy used or costs incurred until well after consumption when the periodic electricity account is received.

"With worldwide pressure to increase energy efficiency, conserve resources and reduce atmospheric pollution, increased consumer awareness and education is necessary ...especially in developed economies".

The Greenhouse Effect...

How saving energy helps reduce the greenhouse effect.

Almost all of the energy we use, whether for heating, cooking or transport, contributes to the greenhouse effect. Energy sources such as coal, petroleum and natural gas produce CO2 (carbon dioxide) when burnt to provide us with useful energy. By wasting energy in our daily activities we contribute unnecessary quantities of CO2 to the atmosphere. For example, NSW contributes over 80 million tones of CO2 to the atmosphere per year. This is equivalent to the combined weight of 210,000 jumbo jets, or about 18 tonnes for every person in the State. For more information visit http://www.greenpower.com.au