SHASPA has launched an Opensim-based Home Energy device. It allows users to visualize and control the energy consumption of their home from any location.
On Wednesday April 15th in Coventry, SHASPA announced the launch of its first
intelligent shared spaces application - "Home Energy". The SHASPA
Home Energy package allows homeowners to not only see in 3D where
energy is being used in their house, but also to compare usage with
similar properties and to control usage from anywhere using remote
technology.
The Home Energy package employs wireless sensors to monitor
heat, air quality and energy usage in every room. These sensors
connect to a 3D map of the building to provide a virtual display of
energy use. The sensors are also linked to a global grid of
properties so that energy consumption can be compared.
The SHASPA device, the heart of the Home Energy package,
contains a virtual world server Opensim.
This enables 3D visualisation and control of domestic energy
usage. This is anticipated to significantly reduce energy
consumption in both existing and new properties.
The SHASPA device kits will include a revolutionary social
energy meter that not only make managing energy consumption highly
engaging and interactive, but will also provide access to energy
usage and devices remotely via mobile phone or the internet.
David Wortley of SHASPA said: "With the Home Energy package you
can see in real time where the most energy is being used in your
house, evaluate it, and even turn appliances off and on when you
are not at home. This has the potential to completely change the
way we manage our domestic energy consumption.
"The launch of SHASPA Home Energy will introduce the next
generation of smart metering with integrated Web 3.0 technologies
aimed at producing maximum energy savings and significantly
reducing carbon footprints."
SHASPA INTELLIGENT SHARED SPACES is a Web 3.0 technology
platform and infrastructure that brings intelligence to physical
spaces and breaks down the boundaries between virtual and physical
worlds.
The launch of SHASPA Home Spaces took place in Coventry at the
Serious Games Institute on Coventry University Technology Park.
Our view...
We see this as a highly unique and innovative use of the Opensim
technology stack - with ever increasing energy costs remote
management looks very appealing. Furthermore it provides the
opportunity for a user to manipulate lights and devices to give the
appearance of a physical presence in the home.
This technology also aptly demonstrates the convergence of real
life and virtual life... will the next evolution be to track people
in a house so they can be represented in the virtual environment as
well?