Energy efficiency, the web 2.0 way

First there was the announcement of Google PowerMeter, an online tool that displays information about residential electricity use. Imagine logging on to your email account and being confronted with how much energy your dryer is consuming, real time. Initial studies indicate that access to this information can lead to savings between 5-15% on monthly electricity bills.

Now Michael Bauwens at the P2P foundation points to the emergence of more social energy tracking systems. Open Shaspa, in particular, turns energy efficiency into a game that "creates a 3D model of your house, thereby making power consumption a visually navigable space. If you go on vacation, an avatar friend can keep tabs on energy use."

Take a look at Pachube for a sneak preview of what happens when you "connect, tag and share real time sensor data" from devices such as energy meters (and beyond). Or check out the flashy Radisson Hotel Dashboard for a real time display of their water, electricty and gas consumption. (Hat tip: Infoesthetics)

Here’s another example of the transformative power of web 2.0. By adding a social dimension to rather prosaic processes such as tracking energy consumption, one can generate efficiencies, increase transparency and generate a healthy sense of competition that can help drive the right type of behaviour (when will other hotel chains follow the Radisson?). And, in the case of Open Shaspa, you can have some fun in the process, too.