Greenbox: Flash Creators Tackle Energy in the Home
Cleantech startups have been liberally taking cues from the Internet world, like using IP tech for a smarter power grid or leveraging Web 2.0 tools to sell solar. Here’s another one for ya: The creators of the well-known interactive web technology Flash are building web-based software to measure a home’s energy consumption and ultimately help homeowners reduce their power usage.
Greenbox, the year-old startup based in San Bruno, Calif., was formed by the two co-creators of Flash — Jonathan Gay and Robert Tatsumi — along with key Flash designers Peter Santangeli and Gary Grossman. Matthew Smith, who formerly hails from Liquid Audio, is heading up their marketing department. And the company is backed with an angel round from the former CEO of Macromedia, Rob Burgess, and former Macromedia CFO Betsey Nelson.
We haven’t had a chance to check out the software yet, as the team says they’re still working on the product, but we’re thinking such a strong history in Flash could deliver some pretty compelling services. Here’s what it’s supposed to do: Connect with wireless sensors and smart devices to monitor a home’s energy, gas and water usage; present that data to the homeowner with well-designed graphs and charts — then recommend ways to cut down on using those resources.
The trick with energy management software is that currently the average person doesn’t see the need to manage and track their own energy, so the system has to be both engaging and super easy to use. Not to mention that very few homes currently have the right smart devices — advanced electrical meters, connected thermostats — installed to be able to even benefit from energy management services.
Greenbox’s VP of marketing, Matt Smith, says their idea is to make the software much more interactive, using a recommendation engine to propose behavioral changes or even products to buy, like more efficient light bulbs. They will also have a community comparison feature, which would tap into homeowner’s competitive, or “go with the crowd” spirit, to change behavior.
While Greenbox has an impressive story to tell with its Flash roots, there are other startups working on the same idea. We’ve written about Lucid Design Group, an Oakland, Calif.-based startup that won a prize at the California Cleantech Open last year, and has built an energy dashboard for resource management. While Lucid is mostly focused on monitoring energy use in corporate environments, I know they plan to work more in the consumer market.
Agilewaves is another that has an energy dashboard in the works, and just put in an installation of system at the Nueva School in Hillsborough, Calif. Agilwaves also works with installers to use its system for greener systems, like a living roof, a geothermal well, or an efficient sprinkler system.
Greenbox’s Smith says the company is testing its system in 10 homes right now and plans to offer it commercially by late 2008 or early 2009. Smith says the company hasn’t priced the software yet, but plans to work with utilities, home system installers, and one day big-box retailers to sell its product.
Very interesting. Most notable is the fact that unless user is engaged its not right to expect him to take actions.
In my eyes there should be some subventions for these starups as long as the companies are environmentally friendly. This is a step forward in the right direction!
And another Web 2.0 Jiggle…
I am a homeowner who would like to reduce my energy cost/consumption. Do I really have to buy technology that monitors energy usage when I can spend that money on a compact flourescent bulb, for example, that shows me right on the box how much I will save in energy use? Why not skip the data gathering cost and go straight to the savings?
I would rather hire someone from the Home Depot to come out to my home and use his/her gear to not only determine how much energy I’m using but implement an agreed upon solution.
Wouldn’t it make more sense for an energy auditor to pay for data collecting gear than me? They can justify the cost of more superior tech. than I.
Hi there,
I found great ideas and discussing on your Web site.
Well done ! Thanks for that and keep on doing
Greetings from germany , Thomas
Cleantech startups have been liberally taking cues from the Internet world, like using IP tech to make smarter power grids or leveraging Web 2.0 tools to sell solar. Now the creators of the well-known interactive web technology Flash are building web-based software to measure a home’s energy consumption and ultimately help homeowners reduce their power usage
We are helping find participants for an on-line survey of home energy monitors. There is a list of qualifying devices, you need to be using one of them.
The study ends August 30 2009, is offering a $10.00 Starbucks card for completed surveys. We vouch for the fact that there is no “trickery” with this request.
http://www.open4energy.com/forum/home/dev/home_energy_monitoring_device_survey_0907291255
this is definitive must for anyone who likes to prrotect nature! energy consuption measurement is a key to our save future!
To find out what consumes the most energy is definitely the first and most important step to stop wasting energy. This topic is coming up in Europe big the last years. Greenbox: keep up the good work! Regards, Marco
Wouldn’t it make more sense for an energy auditor to pay for data collecting gear than me? They can justify the cost of more superior tech. than I.
Thanks for interesting stuff
I like this article and it
s content. Im alwasy searching for good aricles to read and to get more information on new technologies. Thanks for this posting.A great and good idea from greenbox. I hope it will grow.
Very interesting article.
We couldn´t waste so much energy.
Thanks for this good posting. Saving energy couldnt be important enough.
Hey, I also think “thinking green” cannot be neglected anymore. I wish goog luck for the project.
thanks for this interesting article.
its great to read about “new” technologies.
Nice job on the blog, keep it up.
Thank you for sharing
I really like the lbog too.
thanks for this article :)
Ein Kompliment für diese tolle Seite.
Eigentlich bin ich durch Zufall darauf gestoßen und dachte mir,
einen netten Eintrag und viele Grüße zu hinterlassen.
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Vielleicht schauen sie mal auf meiner Homepage vorbei!
Almost forgot, just thanks for great stuff.
open4energy is tracking a complete list of all energy monitors.
There are now 27 devices we have listed in the US and 7 in the UK
http://open4energy.com/technology/list_home_energy_monitor
Please let us know if you find any we have missed
an important consideration – best greets from germany
keep the fire burning!
Hallo Leute,
eine wirklich gelungene Homepage!!! Weiter so. Viele Grüße vom Schönberger Strand an der Ostsee.
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