GE (foolishly) jumps into crowded home energy management space

GE has big plans for the home area networks market with a selection of smart appliances and an Internet-linked home energy manager. And to do it, GE has established a new Home Energy Management (HEM) business. Described by GE as a "whole-home solution," components will include a hybrid hot water heater, programmable thermostats, smart meters, a suite of smart appliances and the key element, its Nucleusâ„¢ home energy manager, which is expected to be released next year. The HEM plan is to develop and commercialize GE's line of energy management solutions to give consumers more control over their home conveniences and reduce consumption, particularly during periods of peak demand. Dave McCalpin, general manager for HEM, said "If we can better manage when and how we use power, we can control the demand without compromising people's lifestyles. This is where global smart grid initiatives and GE's new Home Energy Management products come into play." Components of GE's Brillion Suite of Home Energy Solutions are now being tested by five U.S. utilities.

Jesse Berst's Take: General Electric today announced that it plans to make the same mistake as Microsoft, Google, Tendril and dozens of others – namely to pursue the illusory home energy management market. At least GE has plenty of money to waste... and, believe us, they will waste millions while waiting for this market to mature. When it does (five years from now), it will coalesce around the TV set, not around a home energy management console. GE's biggest home energy competitor, therefore, is not Google Powermeter, but Google TV.

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