PNNL Licenses Smart Chip for Appliances

A “smart,” energy-saving computer chip that began as pilot project is now ready for licensing from DOE’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The GridFriendly Appliance Controller can be installed in household appliances, where it continuously monitors the electric grid, automatically adjusting energy use for a few minutes or even even a few seconds if the grid is overstressed. In addition to reducing outages, the controller also offers the advantage of lowering customer electrical bills. PNNL is working with several appliance makers and utilities to demonstrate  the technology with appliances in a range of projects.

   Quick Take:  Although GE has stolen much of the limelight on smart appliances recently, it’s nice to see PNNL finally making this product available to the market. Hopefully, the competition will produce cheaper, smarter, more feature-rich appliance controllers.

   Press release