Advertisement

Intel and Capgemini to develop tablet for home energy management

If Google and Microsoft can get in on the home energy management wave then hey, why not Intel? Chipzilla is teaming up with Capgemini SA to create a "tablet-style computer" that lets humans control the power consumed by their appliances. Later, presumably when there are enough of these smart devices on the grid, it could allow utilities to more intelligently manage its electricity allocation. According to Intel's Joe Jensen, general manager for low-power embedded processors, "energy is a big part of our project to extend the fringe of computing out to the next thing." Indeed, under Paul Otellini's lead, Intel is targeting fuel pumps at the corner gas station, advertising signs, and even exercise equipment as it seeks opportunities beyond traditional computing devices -- a market Intel believes to be worth about $10 billion. The goal of the Intel / Capgemini initiative is to offer a full-service smart-grid solution, according to Steven Harris, head of smart home services at Capgemini. Mind you, Intel's involvement shouldn't come as a total surprise here, seeing as how it was showing off wall panels for real-time utility management in the -- groan -- "digital crib" way back at CES in 2010. That's one such device, pictured above.

Update: Corrected spelling from "Cap Gemini" (as Businessweek presented it) to "Capgemini" -- this isn't 2004 anymore. We also managed to unearth the official press release announcing Intel's Home Energy Dashboard reference design built around the Atom processor. You'll find that after the break.

Show full PR text

Capgemini Supports the Utilities Sector in the Deployment and Running of Intel® Architecture Based New Home Energy Dashboard

Capgemini, one of the world's foremost providers of consulting, technology and outsourcing services, today announced a new offering for its utility customers using the Home Energy Dashboard, a device based on Intel® architecture that enables utilities to interact directly with consumers in the home.

Paris, February 1, 2011 – Capgemini's Smart Energy Services team will support utilities in the deployment and management of the Home Energy Dashboard, enabling them to offer new and enhanced energy services and improve their customer acquisition and retention performance.

This next generation In-Home Display will allow utilities to better manage their demand response programs by shifting residential customers' peak usage without impacting their comfort. It will allow utilities to offer preferential tariffs to their customers, as they seek to reduce energy consumption, and to deliver new services, such as solar panel monitoring, electric vehicle battery management and storage management. Bundling these value-added services together with tariffs to make them more attractive to new and existing customers will also allow utilities to improve customer acquisition and retention in competitive markets where switching rates are high.

Capgemini will build applications that support secure communications between the device and utilities' existing systems and develop consumer applications that allow them to deliver next generation energy services to the end user. Capgemini will also provide technical and customer support on behalf of the utility company, in addition to project management and deployment services around the Home Energy Dashboard.

Joe Jensen, general manager, Low Power Embedded Processor Division, Intel, comments: "The Intel(R) Home Energy Dashboard reference design, based on the Intel Atom™ processor, has the potential to change the game in the home energy management space by intelligently facilitating a change in consumer behaviour, without the need to sacrifice comfort or convenience. By offering this new solution, Capgemini enables its utility customers to gain a firm foothold in the smart energy market and deliver an enhanced service to the end user, improving customer satisfaction and loyalty."

Perry Stoneman, global leader for Capgemini's Smart Energy Services, says: "Home energy management is expected to grow rapidly with ON World predicting global revenues for HEM equipment and services will reach $3.3 billion by 20141. Utilities are acutely aware of this, and are seeking to bolster their offerings accordingly. We believe there will be a great appetite for this kind of solution in the market and Capgemini's Smart Energy Services team is delighted to be taking Intel's Home Energy Dashboard to utilities and providing the required value-added services."

A leader in the smart energy market, Capgemini launched a dedicated global service line called Smart Energy Services (SES) in 2010. This global service line is providing the full spectrum of smart metering, smart grid, smart home solutions and smart analytics to utilities across the globe. The offering leverages a range of proven services and best practices successfully developed by Capgemini since 2004 whilst working with leading utilities across the globe.

About Capgemini
Capgemini, one of the world's foremost providers of consulting, technology and outsourcing services, enables its clients to transform and perform through technologies. Capgemini provides its clients with insights and capabilities that boost their freedom to achieve superior results through a unique way of working, the Collaborative Business ExperienceTM. The Group relies on its global delivery model called Rightshore®, which aims to get the right balance of the best talent from multiple locations, working as one team to create and deliver the optimum solution for clients. Present in more than 35 countries, Capgemini reported 2009 global revenues of EUR 8.4 billion and employs over 100,000 people worldwide.
More information is available at www.capgemini.com.