Anita Kong's Blog

In response to Adrianne Erdman’s blog, I disagree that there are no downsides to the Power Tab. The idea for Energy Aware’s Power Tab to become popular in Canada will not be met without difficulty.

Statistics indicate that Canada has one of the lowest electricity prices in the world. This is due to the vast number of available energy sources. Canadians may see no advantage to reduce energy consumption by saving on already low prices.

Another major factor that may turn Canadians away from the Power Tab are the controversies surrounding BC Hydro’s smart meters. The Power Tab is a device that will work alongside the smart meter to provide data of energy consumption. In order to utilize the Power Tab, the product must be registered with BC Hydro. In addition to valuing the environment and money, Canadians value privacy and this device will support BC Hydro’s intrusion on privacy. BC Hydro will also have access to cumulative data of energy usage from smart meters that over time will reveal consumer behaviour such as when a family is on vacation.

I predict that it will be a slow progression for Power Tabs to enter the Canadian market.

Sources:

http://knowyourpower.ca/the-value-of-electricity/electricity-prices/

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9233265/Smart_meters_not_so_clever_about_privacy_researchers_find

https://blogs.ubc.ca/adrianne/2012/11/12/potential-for-energy-awares-power-tab-in-canada/

http://www.energy-aware.com/our-products/ihd/