Interesting power monitoring startup

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#173373 20-May-2015 20:39

A non-intrusive load monitoring startup making some impressive claims:

https://ecois.me/en
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ecoisme-intelligent-energy-monitoring-system#/story

Monitor usage of each appliance individually with only one sensor. Current sensor + detection and analysis module in the cloud. They say it can train easily to recognise a new appliance and provide stats for it. Lots of systems integration available also.

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#1308877 20-May-2015 21:25

That looks awesome!

I've just signed up for Flick Electricity. Would be really awesome if it could integrate in some way. But being able to see what is one when, would enable me to get the best from the available savings. If I can manage to integrate the Flick data with the data from this device, I would be able to see what each device is costing, and get a feel for which devices could be run at more cost effective times (when wholesale power is cheaper)

Will definitely be watching this technology! Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Mike

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#1308936 20-May-2015 22:31

What you want appears to be exactly what they are promising.

The basic NILM tech has been around for a while but afaik has been implemented only on a few high end devices and not particularly well so far. Iirc there may be some basic NILM patents around which can scare innovators. Looks like these guys are very confident and good backing.

The big plus for us is coming out of Europe (Poland/Germany) with 230v/50hz native same as us.

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#1308940 20-May-2015 22:41

Yeah. I was pretty impressed that the unit is powered off a figure-8 connector, so can use any simple plug lead (ie will work with any country's sockets).

Also that the unit will work with 100 - 240v @ 50 or 60hz. Means that it truly is a worldwide product!

If Flick did some clever API integration with them, that would be even better!

I think I'll probably buy one. The main downside is the almost a year long wait for it! Good price in the Early Bird though!

Mike

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#1308944 20-May-2015 22:45

I guess being confident doesn't stop them getting stopped for patent infringement! Is their spectral analysis unique, or has that been done before too? Either way it looks pretty smart use of technology!

Mike

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#1308945 20-May-2015 22:51

miked: I think I'll probably buy one. The main downside is the almost a year long wait for it! Good price in the Early Bird though!

Yeah you have to worry about a v1.0.0 always. But it is ok price for a monitor anyway then + bonus features make it look alright. I do wish there was ethernet option. WiFi does not solve all problems and sometimes creates issues.

k1wi

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#1308953 20-May-2015 23:09

There is an Australian outfit called wattcost.com who are also doing cloud based power monitoring as well.

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#1308965 20-May-2015 23:22

miked: I guess being confident doesn't stop them getting stopped for patent infringement! Is their spectral analysis unique, or has that been done before too? Either way it looks pretty smart use of technology!

True. But it could mean they are confident they can deal with or license any issues that arise, and maybe there are none. If you google 'nilm patent' the first result is a wiki article claiming and describing an implementation. Spectral analysis for load monitoring is not unique in itself and there are hundreds of academic papers on that topic. The thing about patents is speculation on my part, I just always wondered a bit why it took so very long to bring this class of tech to the market.

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#1308966 20-May-2015 23:23

Not keen on putting permanant pricy stuff on wifi. Look at how many things are now useless because they only supported G - like the first version of the limitless base station, and a few other automation things. When n becomes laughable whenever the next standard for 2.4 comes out, this thing would be useless.

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#1308979 20-May-2015 23:43

richms: Not keen on putting permanant pricy stuff on wifi. Look at how many things are now useless because they only supported G - like the first version of the limitless base station, and a few other automation things. When n becomes laughable whenever the next standard for 2.4 comes out, this thing would be useless.

That is an excellent point, and one reason why I love wires (just running cat 5e/6 through my house as part of some renovations!).

However, with a device like this, if it ever needed Wi-Fi connection of an older type, I'd just leave an older access point online somewhere especially for it, whilst the rest of my network sped along on the new technology. I guess more critical therefore is the cloud system backing it. If they cease selling new units in due course, then they might decide to fold the company (they need constant new sales to remain open), and at that point the cloud system goes offline, and the product is potentially worthless.

I'm very close to buying one... but I'm just holding off right now, to be sure I'm completely happy before I press go!

Mike

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#1308980 20-May-2015 23:46

Ive pushed the button on it, its only 129 for it.

I can see those dirt cheap ESP8266 wifi modules will make loads of crap like this wifi only in the future. Someone needs to make a pin compatible module with a little header on it to plug a dongle with a magjack into for wired connections.

Richard rich.ms

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#1308985 20-May-2015 23:58

Def engage with them on an ethernet option. One year could be long enough to come around. ; ).

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#1308986 20-May-2015 23:59

Looks like it is a copy of this http://www.neur.io/

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#1308988 21-May-2015 00:14

Just got a reply

we are planning include only WiFi

Richard rich.ms

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#1308990 21-May-2015 00:23

Are they any other units (either available now, or coming soon) that people are aware of in this space?

Wattsclever doesn't appear to have anything very fancy (unless I'm missing something), but then their webshop says it is closed for maintenance, and will re-open on 20th March (is that 2016, or has it over-run!).

I'll take a look at the Neur site too.

Regarding Wifi - I've just emailed the guy and see what he says about Wifi Specs and possibility of Ethernet. More important than G vs N technology, in my opinion, is WEP, vs WPA vs WPA2 security etc. Presuming this supports WPA2 AES, all will be good until that standard gets cracked! Then what?? Also what level of encryption they use between them and the cloud. I don't fancy all my usage being available to everyone on the internet if they implement security in a half-hearted manner!

I'll let you all know if they guy replies to me....

Certainly would want to be in the first 100 if getting this... US$129 inc postage compared to US$179 is quite a jump!

Mike

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#1308991 21-May-2015 00:24

If this comes thru and is still only wifi then I might flick mine on. Also the voltage and current measureing in the same place is another issue. I have no GPO in my outside meterbox, and I cant really put the current transformer anywhere else that I can plug it in. I can see it being more sucessful in AU where the meter and the breakers and an outlet are often all in the same outside box.

Richard rich.ms

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