With a market release planned for summer 2008, Onzo promises an energy meter which is:

• providing real-time feedback on energy use, which studies show results in energy use decreases up to 26%;


• interactive, sharing information with your computer to allow comparing performance with others and analysis of energy usage down to the appliance level;


• designed for dissassembly, which Onzo will do as part of their take-back program;


• forward compatible = built for upgrades, so that improvements do not obsolete previously purchased devices;


• incorporating recycled materials as much as possible; and


• operating battery-free.

Chief executive Joel Hagan says that the algorithms differentiate the Onzo from other meters on the market, resulting in bettter management of energy budgeting. Onzo will give feedback in energy, carbon footprint or financial terms.

Onzo's name has also hit the news for fighting the UK government plan to require suppliers issue cheap clip-on energy meters to power consumers. SSE is behind the financing because they hope to find a marketing advantage by giving their customers the Onzo as a more powerful tool for power management.

Is it coincidence that the Onzo adheres to modern design and sustainability principles? Onzo, the company, has grown out of a recent conceptualization of office space called the HUB. The idea is to get people out of their bedrooms and into a community where they can meet colleagues at the water cooler or pause to exchange ideas over a cup of coffee. Although the Hub focuses on the entrepreneurial benefits, this sort of office space is also heralded as a new model for the tele-commuting worker, an emerging trend referred to as hotelling, hot-desking, coworking or "labor unions".

Onzo joins kill-a-watt, EUM 2000, the home joule, the wattson, the powercost home monitor and others in the market for energy monitoring devices.

Via ::The Ode (pdf)

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