Microsoft’s latest technology –  Hohm – is ready to save the world from global warming.

It sounds, ugh, confusing.

The general concept behind it is good. In fact, it seems similar to Google’s offering – PowerMeter – which borrows the catchline:

If you cannot measure it, you cannot improve it. — Lord Kelvin

I can’t see how these “applications” will work yet though. It all seams a bit abstract and idealistic. The main issue is that someone needs to make a buck. Who wants to pay? The energy providers? Unlikely – they’ll loose money through reduced energy usage anyway. End users, well yea, but why would I want to pay for something I already know?

I suppose in essence it’s really about re-educating people. Which means it’s not going to make anyone any money. If companies such as Microsoft and Google have a spare few mil to throw at this – good on ’em. But it seems a little fishy to me.

And for something amusing:
“Later on, Microsoft intends for the service to grab data from programmable thermostats and so-called “smart plugs” to provide better real-time information. It all sounds well and good until the day we’re inevitably forced to call Microsoft’s activation center after adding a deck to the house”
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/06/24/microsoft_launches_hohm/