Forget the threat of solar power. There is a greater danger for energy utilities coming from smart gadgets and software from tech giants Apple and Google. The cutting edge technologies being developed and deployed by these two companies will revolutionize the use of electricity in the home and in the office.
Energy Utilities Threatened by Solar Power
Most people think that solar power is the biggest threat to the profit streams of energy utilities. Rightly so, since solar energy can effectively replace the energy produced from fossil fuels and coal. However, the biggest drawback of solar systems is their inital cost.
Apple and Google Developing Energy-Smart Technology
However, there is a greater danger lying ahead for energy utilities. Tech giants Apple and Google are coming up with their own ways of helping consumers to use electricity in a more effective way, without developing renewable energy systems.
These two companies are developing gadgets and software that will enable consumers to reduce their electrical consumption. In short, consumers will now be able to use less electricity without sacrificing the comfort of modern technology.
The Emergence of “Negawatts”
The major focus of these two tech giants is to popularize the term “negawatts” or less or zero consumption of energy, as opposed to megawatts which is what electric companies are now providing the public. Negawatt power refers to the amount of energy saved by any given energy-saving measure implemented.
There is now a great potential of monetizing “negawatts” or increasing energy efficiency using the latest technology. This will significantly impact the transfer from hydrocarbon dependent energy utilities to technologies such as smart gadgets and software.
Apple’s Home kit
One of the gadgets that will allow you to significantly reduce your electricity consumption is Apple’s Home Kit. This is a computer program or software which includes a suite of tools that can control a number of electrical devices in a home.
With this software, you can control smart appliances, thermostats and air conditioners, garage door openers, CCTV cameras, lights and security systems. The concept of Home Kit is to make your home a “smart home” where you can control all your home’s electrical devices through your mobile phone.
Google’s Nest
Google has acquired Nest for $3.2 billion. Nest is the creator of the smart thermostat and smoke detector. This company is on the cutting edge of the development of devices that are leading the way for the “Internet of Things.” Nest is devoted to developing systems that will make every household appliance smarter through advance design and internet-enabled features.
