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Energy feedback technology: a review and taxonomy of products and platforms

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Abstract

Feedback is a promising strategy for energy conservation, and many energy feedback products (i.e. technologies with hardware) and platforms (i.e. technologies without hardware) have emerged on the market in recent years. Past research suggests that the effectiveness of feedback varies based on distinct characteristics, and proposes categories to better understand and distinguish between these characteristics. A review of existing categories, however, identified the following issues: (1) current structures group feedback technologies into four (or fewer) categories, making device distinction and selection onerous; (2) current categories often ignore technical and psychological distinctions of interest to researchers; and (3) none provide a systematic description of the specific characteristics that vary by category. This paper presents a classification structure of feedback technology, derived theoretically from a review of relevant literature and empirically via content analysis of 196 devices. A taxonomy structure of feedback technology was derived based on the characteristics of hardware, communications, control, display, and data collection. The resulting taxonomy included the following nine categories: (1) information platform, (2) management platform, (3) appliance monitor, (4) load monitor, (5) grid display, (6) sensor display, (7) networked sensor, (8) closed management network, and (9) open management network. These categories are mutual exclusive and exhaustive of the identified technologies collected and are based on characteristics, which are both stable and important to feedback provision. It is hoped that this feedback classification will be of use to both researchers and practitioners trying to leverage the potential of these technologies for energy conservation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of California, Irvine, CA, USA

    Beth Karlin & Cassandra Squiers

  2. University of Otago, Otago, New Zealand

    Rebecca Ford

Authors
  1. Beth Karlin
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  2. Rebecca Ford
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  3. Cassandra Squiers
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Beth Karlin.

Appendix A

Appendix A

Name

Developer or retailer

Type

4Home

Motorola

Open management network

Aclara’s ENERGYprism Customer Care Solutions

Aclara

Information platform

The Agentis Platform

Agentis

Information platform

Acuview Energy Recording & Reporting Software

Accuenergy

Information platform

Agilewaves Building Optimization System

Agilewaves

Open management network

Akuacom Demand Response Automation Server

Akuacom

Information platform

AlertMe SmartEnergy

AlertMe

Closed management network

AmWatt Appliance Load Tester

Reliance Controls

Load monitor

AzTech

AZ Tech Associates, Inc.

Grid display

Battic Door Home Energy Monitor

Battic Door

Sensor display

Belkin Conserve Insight Monitor

Belkin

Load monitor

Black & Decker Power Monitor

Black & Decker

Sensor display

Blue Line PowerCost Monitor and Energy Meter II

Blue Line Innovations

Sensor display

Brand Electronics 20-CTR Whole House

Brand Electronics

Sensor display

Brand Electronics Digital Power Meter 4-1850

Brand Electronics

Load monitor

Brand Electronics Digital Power Meter 20-1850

Brand Electronics

Load monitor

Brand Electronics Digital Power Meter 20-1850CI

Brand Electronics

Load monitor

Brand Electronics Digital Power Meter 21-1850CI

Brand Electronics

Load monitor

Brand Electronics ONE meter

Brand Electronics

Sensor display

Brultech ECM-1220

Brultech

Sensor display

Brultech ECM-1240

Brultech

Networked sensor

Brultech GreenEye Monitor

Brultech

Networked Sensor

Cent-a-Meter

Island Power Pty Ltd

Sensor display

Centralised Electricity Energy Management System

Shenzhen Sailwider Electronics

Closed management network

Cisco Business Energy Management Services

Cisco

Information platform

Control4 Energy Management System 100

Control4

Open management network

Current Cost EnviR

Current Cost

Sensor display

Current Cost The Classic

Current Cost

Sensor display

Current Cost TREC

Current Cost

Sensor display

Customer Interface Display

Dent Instrument

Grid display

CustomerIQ Energy Portal

Silver Spring Networks

Information platform

Digi X-Grid Solutions

Digi

Open management network

DreamWatts

Makad Energy

Open management network

E-Mon Energy Software

E-Mon Energy

Information platform

E-Watch

Secure Together

Information platform

Ease II Manager

Secure Together

Information Platform

Eco-Eye Elite

Modern Moulds and Tools Ltd’s

Sensor display

Eco-eye Elite 100

Modern Moulds and Tools Ltd’s

Sensor display

Eco-eye Elite 200

Modern Moulds and Tools Ltd’s

Sensor display

Eco-Eye Elite Mini

Modern Moulds and Tools Ltd’s

Sensor display

Eco-eye Elite Mini 2

Modern Moulds and Tools Ltd’s

Sensor display

Eco-Eye Plug-In

Modern Moulds and Tools Ltd’s

Load monitor

Eco-Eye Smart

Modern Moulds and Tools Ltd’s

Sensor display

Eco-Eye Smart PC

Modern Moulds and Tools Ltd’s

Sensor display

Eco-Eye Smart PV

Modern Moulds and Tools Ltd’s

Sensor display

EcoDog’s FIDO Home Energy Monitoring System

EcoDog

Networked sensor

EcoManager

EDF Energy

Closed management network

ecoMeter

Ampy Email Metering

Grid display

EcoView Commercial

Advanced Telemetry

Closed management network

EcoView Residential

Advanced Telemetry

Closed management network

Efergy E2

Efergy Technologies Ltd

Sensor display

Efergy Elite Wireless Monitor

Efergy Technologies Ltd

Sensor display

Efergy Energy Monitoring Socket

Efergy Technologies Ltd

Load monitor

Efficiency 2.0’s PEER

Efficiency 2.0

Information platform

eGauge

eGauge Systems

Networked sensor

ELOGsoftware

Dent Instruments

Information platform

EM 2500

Energy Mointoring Technologies

Load monitor

eMonitor

Powerhouse Dynamics

Closed management network

EMS-2020

Energy Cite

Grid display

Energate Home Energy Managament Suite

Energate

Open management network

Energy Engage

eMeter

Information platform

EnergyFlow Monitor

Noveda Technologies

Networked sensor

EnergyHub Home Base

EnergyHub

Open management network

Energy Joule

Ambient

Grid display

Energy Manager EXT Software

Electro Industries/GaugeTech

Information platform

Energy Master

eQ-3

Load monitor

EnergySmart Monitor

British Gas

Sensor display

EnergyView Online

Schneider Electric

Information platform

eSight

eSight Energy

Information platform

Ewgeco B100

Tayeco Ltd.

Sensor display

Ewgeco B200

Tayeco Ltd.

Sensor display

Ewgeco B300

Tayeco Ltd.

Sensor display

Ewgeco H300 EEE

Tayeco Ltd.

Sensor display

Ewgeco H300 ERG

Tayeco Ltd.

Sensor display

Ewgeco H300 EWG

Tayeco Ltd.

Sensor display

Ewatch 100—Secure

Secure Together

Information platform

Flukso

Flukso

Networked sensor

Home Energy Controller (HEC)

Secure Together

Open management network

Freedom

Secure Together

Grid display

GEO Chorus

Green Energy Options

Open management network

GEO Duet

Green Energy Options

Grid display

GEO Ensemble

Green Energy Options

Closed management network

GEO Minim

Green Energy Options

Sensor display

GEO My Energy

Green Energy Options

Information platform

GEO Npower Monitor

Green Energy Options

Sensor display

GEO Prelude

Green Energy Options

Sensor display

GEO Quartet

Green Energy Options

Sensor display

GEO Solo

Green Energy Options

Sensor display

GEO Solo II

Green Energy Options

Grid display

GEO Trio & Trio+

Green Energy Options

Open management network

Google PowerMeter

Google

Information platform

Greendash Hub

FutureDash Corp.

Management platform

GreenWave Reality Energy Management Platform

Greenwave Realitty

Open management network

Greenwire Energy Monitor

Greenwire LLC

Grid display

GridPoint Energy Manager

Gridpoint

Management platform

Home Energy Management Solution (Cisco)

Cisco

Open management network

iControl OpenHome—Utility

iControl Networks

Open management network

In2MyHome

In2Networks

Information platform

Insteon Energy display

Insteon

Sensor display

Insteon HouseLinc

Insteon

Closed management network

Insteon SmartLinc

Insteon

Closed management network

Intamac

Intamac

Open management network

Intel Home Energy Dashboard

Intel

Open management network

Kill-A-Watt

P3 International

Load monitor

Kill A Watt EZ

P3 International

Load monitor

Kill-A-Watt Graphic Timer & Plug Power Meter

P3 International

Load monitor

Kill A Watt Power Strip

P3 International

Load monitor

Kill-a-Watt Wireless

P3 International

Sensor display

LS Research RateSaver display

LS Research

Grid display

Lucid Design Group: Dashboard

Lucid Design Group

Information platform

Lucid Building Dashboard—B

Lucid Design Group

Networked sensor

Lucid Building Dashboard—C

Lucid Design Group

Networked sensor

Mi Casa Verde SmartSwitch & Vera

MiCasaVerde

Closed management network

Microsoft Hohm

Microsoft

Information platform

Navetas Energy Monitor

Navetas Energy Management

Sensor display

Navetas Smart Hub

Navetas Energy Management

Sensor display

Needy Needs Inc Wireless Energy Monitor

Needy Needs

Sensor display

Nokia Home Control Center

Nokia

Management platform

Nucleus

General Electric

Open management network

Onzo

Onzo

Sensor display

OpenFrame 7E (OpenPeak)

OpenPeak

Open management network

OPOWER Energy Reports

Opower

Information platform

OPOWER Web portal

Opower

Information platform

People Power 1.0

People Power

Information platform

People Power Energy Services Platform+Surf Module

People Power

Closed management network

PICOwatt/Tenrehte Plug

Tenrehte

Closed management network

Plugwise

Plugwise

Closed management network

Power Aware Cord

Static!

Load monitor

Power Cost Display Monitor

Energy Control Systems

Sensor display

PowerLogic EPO Energy Profiler Online

Schneider Electronics

Information platform

PowerLogic ION EEM Software

Schneider Electronics

Information platform

PowerLogic ION Enterprise Software

Schneider Electronics

Information platform

PowerLogic PowerView Software

Schneider Electronics

Information platform

PowerLogic SCADA Software

Schneider Electronics

Management platform

PowerLogic System Manager Software

Schneider Electronics

Information platform

PowerLogic Tenant Metering Software

Schneider Electronics

Information platform

PowerPal Meter with Customer Interface Display

Dent Instruments

Sensor display

Power Player

Quby

Grid display

PowerStat

Brunswick Electric Membership

Grid display

PowerWatch-DR

PowerWatch Inc.

Open management network

Pulse Energy Manager

Pulse Energy

Information platform

Pulse Check

Pulse Energy

Information platform

RCS Whole home monitor & control

RCS Technology

Closed management network

San Vision Mobile Energy Assistant (MEA)

San Vision Energy Technology Inc.

Open management network

San Vision Power Dashboard

San Vision Energy Technology Inc.

Sensor display

SaveOMeter

Eco1

Sensor display

Scroller—Secure

Secure Together

Information platform

Seasonic PowerAngel Monitor

Seasonic Electronics

Load monitor

Senquentric System

Sequentric

Open management network

Shaspa Smart Home

Shaspa

Open management network

Silk

Powertech IST Otokon

Information platform

Silver Spring Network’s Smart Energy Dashboard

Silver Springs

Management platform

SMARTware by Dent

Dent Instruments

Information platform

SolarCity’s PowerGuide

SolarCity

Information platform

SRP M-Power Meter

Salt River Project

Grid display

Stanley 77–028 Energy Meter EM100

Stanley

Load monitor

SunPower Monitor

SunPower

Sensor display

Talking Plugs

Zerofootprint

Closed management network

Techtoniq Energy Station

Techtoniq

Information platform

TED 1001

Energy Inc.

Sensor display

TED 1002

Energy Inc.

Sensor display

TED 5000-C

Energy Inc.

Sensor display

TED 5000-G

Energy Inc.

Networked sensor

TED 5002-C

Energy Inc.

Sensor display

TED 5002-G

Energy Inc.

Networked sensor

TED 5003-C

Energy Inc.

Sensor display

TED 5003-G

Energy Inc.

Networked sensor

TED 5004-C

Energy Inc.

Sensor display

TED 5004-G

Energy Inc.

Networked sensor

Tendril

Tendril

Open management network

The Energy Stick

Quby

Grid display

The Energy Valet

Trilliant

Management platform

The PowerTab

Energy Aware Technology Inc.

Grid display

The Owl Electricity Monitors

2 Save Energy Limited

Sensor display

UPM Dual Rate Energy Meter- EM130

UPM Marketing

Load monitor

UPM EM100 Energy Meter

UPM Marketing

Load monitor

UPM Plug-in Energy Meter and Electricity Cost Calculator

UPM Marketing

Load monitor

UtiliFlex Juice

UtiliFlex

Information platform

UtiliFlex Joule

UtiliFlex

Networked sensor

U-Vue

U-VUE

Sensor display

WANF Electricity Energy Watt Usage Meter

WANF

Load monitor

Watts Up Standard

Electronic Educational Devices

Load monitor

Watts Up .Net

Electronic Educational Devices

Closed management network

Watts Up Pro ES

Electronic Educational Devices

Load monitor

Watts Up Pro

Electronic Educational Devices

Load monitor

Watts Up Smart Circuit 21

Electronic Educational Devices

Networked sensor

Wattson 01

DIY Kyoto

Sensor display

Wattvision Energy Sensor

Wattvision

Networked sensor

Wilting Flower

Carl Smith

Sensor display

Wireless Uni-directional Electrical Energy Saving Monitor

Shenzhen Sailwider Electronics

Sensor display

Wireless Bi-directional Electricity Energy Saving Monitor & Control System

Shenzhen Sailwider Electronics

Closed management network

thinkeco Modlet

thinkeco

Closed management network

Wattsclever Compact

wattsclever

Sensor display

Wattsclever Energy Monitor

wattsclever

Sensor Display

Wattsclever Energy Monitor for Smart Meter

wattsclever

Sensor display

Wattsclever Energy Watch Monitor

wattsclever

Load monitor

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Karlin, B., Ford, R. & Squiers, C. Energy feedback technology: a review and taxonomy of products and platforms. Energy Efficiency 7, 377–399 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12053-013-9227-5

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