Appliance monitoring and itemised bills to become a reality for consumers

29 September 2009

Following its inception in November 2008, Intelligent Sustainable Energy (ISE), a spin out company formed between Oxford University and Navetas Energy Management Ltd has moved a major step closer to delivering real time appliance monitoring and itemised bills by carrying out successful extended trial of its system in consumer homes.

The ISE solution involves an intelligent energy monitor which connects to the electricity supply. Using patented artificial intelligence developed at the University of Oxford, the system analyses the electricity supply and calculates the power consumption of each appliance without the need for any other sensors or plugs. The system could be installed in the home through a smart meter, such as those which are due to be installed in every home in the UK by 2020.

In advance of the first market ready devices running ISE's patented algorithm, the trials were carried out on bespoke hardware that connect to the consumers' electricity supply at a single point to identify the appliances by advanced analysis of the electricity supply.

The results of the trials show that ISE can identify where 90% of energy is consumed within the home. This includes a range of appliances including ovens, fridges, washing machines, dishwashers, tumble dryers, kettles, toasters and lighting. Whilst, for consumers, the most interesting information is on appliances such as these, the algorithms can also identify many other appliances. During the trials ISE also identified and tracked items as diverse as fishtanks and hair straighteners.

Once the ISE system is installed, consumers will be able to see real-time energy use information by appliance from an in-home display. Consumers will also be able to track their usage over days, weeks and months, creating for the first time itemised energy bills, similar to those provided by the telecommunications industry to consumers.

Jim Donaldson, Chief Technology Officer at ISE said;

The results from the trial demonstrate the huge progress made since ISE was formed at the end of last year and confirms that the technology has the capability to transform consumers' understanding of their energy consumption. Each trial home had its own story to tell; in many instances significant savings of a home's electricity bill have been identified due to consumers' greater understanding of the energy costs of each appliance. for the first time UK consumers will be provided with the technology that will give them the potential to save up to 20% on their electricity bills.

Chris Shelley, Chief Executive of ISE said;

We are very pleased with the trial results as they show ISE is on track to deliver a step change in home energy management, with a unique fully commercalised appliance monitoring technology that could be integrated into a smart meter and used in people's homes at a very low cost. For the first time this will allow consumers to be able to see real time information on the energy their appliances are using without the need to switch them off and on and make informed decisions based on that information.

The next stage for ISE will be the implementation of new algorithms which will be able to identify and track smaller electrical appliances in the home that use less power - such as TV's, DVD/CD players and IT equipment. Once the new algorithms are successfully implemented further large scale trials will be carried out in 2010.

Notes to Editors

ISE is the creator of revolutionary technologies aimed at helping people reduce and manage their energy consumption. Faced with rising energy bills and increasing environmental pressures consumers are keener than ever to reduce the amount of energy they consume. However, whilst we can all follow the simple rules, such as turning off lights and not leaving the TV on standby, the reality is that most people do not have a clear understanding of how they use energy. ISE's technology changes this, giving consumers fully itemised bills just like the itemised phone bill that you get from your telecommunications company.

The core of the ISE solution is the intelligent energy monitor which connects to the energy supply at a single point. Using patented artificial intelligence and signal processing techniques developed over a number of years at Oxford University, the system analyses the electricity supply and calculates the power consumption of each appliance without the need for any other sensors. This information can then be communicated to the consumer through a variety of methods including in-home displays, web portals and itemised billing services.

The Government has recently announced that it intends for all homes in the UK to be fitted with smart meters by 2020.

ISE is a spin out company formed between Navetas Energy Management Ltd and the University of Oxford in November 2008. The Founders of ISE are Dr. Malcolm McCulloch and Jim Donaldson.

For further information please call Nick Wellington on 01394388500 or 07989176964. You can also email at nick.wellington@navetas.com