They also believe the technology could keep consumers' utility bills in check and reduce the need to build new power plants. The promise of the technology, said Newton, is that, in addition to the low cost of the sensors, using wireless technology makes it easy to install them in existing buildings. Cory Hall was built in 1948, long before energy conservation was an issue, and is one of the heaviest electrical users on the campus. There, they are keeping a constant vigil on light and temperature conditions. In place for less than a week, the sensors already are supplying information that is helping the facility manager control the building's electricity use.
People really have no idea where electric power is actually being burned in their homes or offices.
UC Berkeley researchers believe they are very close to putting smart energy technology to work. Finally, the researchers need to work with industry to bring the technology to the marketplace. Industry partnerships are a key component of Gov. Gray Davis' new California Institutes for Science and Innovation. The next generation smart dust motes could then intelligently cut power automatically to certain devices during times of peak power demand. The impact of such smart appliances is greater than one might think.