I wish you guys could get your hands on one of these

[ryarber]

This is a new device by Intel that will help keep up with energy usage

 

http://www.itworld.com/business/104578/intel-sensor-records-all-home-power-use-one-outlet

 

See what you think.

[Michel Kohanim]

Hello ryarber,

 

So would I!!!

 

I am not sure if they are competing with Zigbee SEP ... in California, more than 5 million smart meters have been installed that provide energy utilization amongst other things.

 

We actually do have a product, called Orchestrator, that natively communicates with Smart Meters!

 

With kind regards,

Michel

This is a new device by Intel that will help keep up with energy usage

 

http://www.itworld.com/business/104578/intel-sensor-records-all-home-power-use-one-outlet

 

See what you think.

[TJF1960]

Hi Michel,

 

Can you offer more info on orchestrator? Is it availaible to us and what will it do? PG&E just installed a smart meter on our house last thursday.

 

Any info you can provide would be great,

 

Thanks,

Tim

[Michel Kohanim]

Hi Tim,

 

Orchestrator is a 99i with a Zigbee SEP module and thus can natively communicate with SmartMeters. As far as PG&E, none of their Smart Meters have the Zigbee module enabled yet.

 

Orchestrator is available through HDS and directly from us. But, it's functionality will be equal to 99i if it cannot communicate with the meter. You might want to contact your PG&E rep to see if your meter has the Zigbee SEP module enabled. If so, I would be delighted to send you one.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

[Rick]

I have a Current Cost meter. The module says it does not work with 99i but it does not say how to get it to work. How can this work with my ISY99i? I assume I need Orchestrator.

[Michel Kohanim]

Hello Rick,

 

Unfortunately the only way to communicate with Current Cost right now is through a second serial port which is only available on Orchestrator.

 

Current Cost module has not yet been thoroughly tested but from initial testing, it seems to be quite good for "information" and not that good for "accuracy" unless you figure out exactly how to position the CTs!

 

With kind regards,

Michel

[TJF1960]

Michel, Is the Orchestrator available or close to it and what is the estimated selling price going to be?

 

Also, is there any info posted about it anywhere?

 

Thanks,

Tim

[Michel Kohanim]

Hi Tim,

 

Orchestrator is only available through our utilities distributor. The retail price is about $399.00.

 

We are also working with Check-it.ca which is an energy monitoring portal. It can get Brultech messages from ISY and provide nice charts/analysis on what's going on. This does not require Orchestrator but 99i with a Brultech energy meter and the latest firmware (still in Alpha).

 

I was told by Check-it that they might have a promotion coming for ISY/Brultech users.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

[Rick]

Michel: Do you have any recommendations for accurate meters? You mentioned that you tested the Current Cost and that they were not that good for accuracy; I found the same thing. I have the Current Cost meter now and it looks wildly inaccurate; 2 devices I am monitoring individually often show about 50% more KW than the whole house they are being powered by! Other problems too with KW consistency and customer service.

 

Brultech claims Current Cost will always have the potential for wide error due to the way Current Cost measures KW. How accurate have you found Brultech to be? Any other information about meter selection?

[Michel Kohanim]

Hi Rick,

 

We are working with Check-it.ca and they have 100s of installations of Brultech meters. From what I gather, the accuracy is within 2%. The reason is that Current Cost does not measure voltage; only current. Brultech measures both voltage and current. The only problems with Brultech are:

1. A little more expensive

2. Does not handle 3 phase circuits

 

I think Check-it can provide you with more information as they have been testing many meters and have chosen Brultech after much investigation.

 

With kind regards,

Michel