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Facebook used as platform to compare energy usage

In late 2009, there was an article about a company called Opower, which blends data analysis with behavioral science for finding different ways to help utilities get their consumers to use as little electricity as possible. The system helped power companies send out bills, comparing each consumer’s power usage with that of his or her next door neighbor’s. If you were an energy efficient user, your bill would likely be adorned with smiley faces. Less efficient users received frowns instead.

On Facebook, Some Friendly Energy Rivalry

The idea behind the concept was that it isn’t accurate information which motivates behavioral change but the way such information creates peer pressure. Now, Opower is taking the help of social media to create that kind of psychological connection.

The company, along with popular networking site Facebook, energy conservation advocates and the Natural Resources Defense Council, have developed and released a new application, which will allow interested individuals in more than 20 million households that are served by 16 utilities to post how much energy they consume on their Facebook page. This option is accessible from utilities in New York, California and other states.

Alex Laskey, Opower’s founder, has stated that the new app would permit anyone, who signed up, to automatically upload their power usage data through their local utility to their own Facebook page and invite their peers to do the same. In doing so, individuals can compare notes on their hard work to save energy. The app can also be used for sharing tips and information on what works in a community support forum.

In households where smart meters are installed, information on energy consumption is quite comprehensive so by taking the help of computer modeling, which takes other inconsistencies such as humidity and weather into effect, users will be able to compare how much energy they consume.

Via: Nytimes

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