This project will use the Tendril Connect cloud platform to link some of Essent’s smart meter-enabled residential customers with web and mobile application developers from around the world. The app developers will use Tendril Connect APIs to access rich interval usage data from energy meters and create innovative consumer apps for the program participants. Those participants will rate the apps and the developer with the best rating will receive prizes from Essent. App developers can register for the competition here.

“This is the future of home energy management,” said Kent Dickson, Tendril chief technology officer. “It’s about harnessing the creativity of the developer community to build energy apps, offer them in an app store environment and let consumers choose the applications that best suit their needs. We architected our platform to make this type of creativity and choice possible and to enable utilities to meet the evolving needs of today’s consumers. Consumers have this type of choice in other areas of their lives. Why shouldn’t they have it in deciding how to manage their energy use?”

This is one of several app competitions in the smart grid space we've told you about recently. Here two others:

·         Big money in DOE's Apps for Energy challenge

·         OnStar takes the collaborative route to EV integration