BuLogics, a Philadelphia-based company started by two Drexel University electrical engineering grads, recently introduced their Smart Grid Home Controller. The controller is particularly cool, especially to smart grid geeks, because it pulls a whole bunch of tech together seamlessly. The device uses Z-Wave communication technology and works with any wireless standard, including the two-way wireless standard ZigBee, created by Philips Semiconductors and popular with utilities.
Let's imagine it's summer (hard, I know) and everyone has the AC set to arctic at a peak time. Your smart meter gets a signal saying something to the effect of "hey, please go easy on the juice to help avert a blackout." BuLogics' controller gets the meter's message, automatically starts shutting off non-critical appliances according to your preset preferences, and sends your phone a message letting you know what's going on.
The controller works with "select appliances" so my hand-me-down TV doesn't count, but many other appliances will be compatible. Currently the controller is cornering the vote in the Greener Gadgets Design Competition, part of the Greener Gadgets Conference happening this month in New York. Last year's conference taught me about heirloom electronics. This year I hope to see some.
Photo Illustration: The BuLogics Smart Grid Home Controller is step 2 between a smart meter and electrical monitoring on phones and mobile smart phone devices. Credit: BuLogics, Inc.Tags: Electronics, Energy Efficiency, Green Electronics, Green Tech
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