The basic idea is sound - a simple small box to do local home energy management and to rely on other screens in the house to manage. But there are some serious rubs when it comes to how to connect people to the link. Initially utilities will use this as part of their smart metering projects, but there has been a lot of consumer resistance to smart metering.
Eventually it will happen, but there will be many failures along the way. User experience, expectations and what happens at the utility end are all critical components. Will this be an important product or something that is a stepping stone along the way? It is too early to tell.
Conservation is the lowest hanging fruit if you are trying to lower energy demand and carbon emissions. It is also very difficult to change consumer behavior.
(thanks for pointing this out Wayzen)
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