Xcel Energy Inc. is one of four utility companies partnering with Microsoft Corp. on a Web-based tool that helps people track and reduce their energy use.
Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft announced Wednesday it’s launched Hohm, an online product that examines a household’s energy consumption — taking into account details such as the type of appliance a person is using — and recommends specific strategies for cutting back on power use. Consumers can enter data themselves, but will eventually be able to automate the process if they are a customer of a partner utility such as Minneapolis-based Xcel (NYSE: XEL).
Hohm also helps utilities provide energy-consumption data to consumers, in turn helping them take advantage of incentives related to reducing energy use. Microsoft also provides utility partners with software-development kits.
“By adopting Microsoft Hohm, we can provide our customers vital energy consumption data that not only positively affects individual behavior, but that collectively benefits the environment as a whole,” said Dick Kelly, Xcel Energy president, chairman and CEO in a statement.
Other utilities partnering with Microsoft include Puget Sound Energy, Sacramento Municipal Utility District and Seattle City Light.
Microsoft also is working with Landis+Gyr, a Zug, Switzerland-based company with Minnesota ties that helps utilities collect data from power meters, on the project. Landis has an operation in Pequot Lakes, and its parent holding company has invested in Bloomington-based Ecologic Analytics.
via Xcel partners with Microsoft on energy-use tracking tool – Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:.
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