Have you had trouble keeping track of smart metering projects? So have we, which is why we're glad to see the Smart Metering Projects Map run by the Energy Retail Association in the UK. The map essentially pinpoints smart metering projects across Europe, North America, Oceania and Asia on a zoom-able Google map. If you click on one of the flags, a few paragraphs pop up explaining the scope and purpose of the project. Distrigaz Sud, for instance, is installing 1.1 gas meters in southern Romania to offset gas network balancing concerns. The meters in the trial utilize snap-on Zigbee devices to permit communication. In Kyrgyzstan, a utility will test out pre-paid gas meters....

Reports are circulating today that Toyota is secretly working on a completely solar powered car, citing The Nikkei. Here's the take from the Associated Press. "According to The Nikkei, Toyota is working on an electric vehicle that will get some of its power from solar cells equipped on the vehicle, and that can be recharged with electricity generated from solar panels on the roofs of homes. The automaker later hopes to develop a model totally powered by solar cells on the vehicle, the newspaper said without citing sources." Something may be getting lost in the translation. I can see the first part being true. Toyota could put solar panels on the roof of the car to power some...

P3 International (P3) is a New York consumer electronics company that makes the Kill A Watt electric power meter.  The Kill A Watt meter allows consumers to determine how much energy particular appliances are using.  You simply plug the meter into the wall, plug the appliance into the meter, and monitor the energy consumption of the appliance on the meter’s LCD display. The Kill A Watt meter is protected by U.S. Patent No. 6,095,850 (’850 patent), which is directed to an electric adapter (1) having a plug (2) on its rear side which can be plugged into an electric socket (7).  The adapter has an outlet socket with three holes (3a, 3b, 3c) on the front and a display (4) to...