Measuring energy use
New online tool launched to help Islanders reduce costs
A new online tool has been launched in P.E.I. aimed at helping Islanders reduce their energy use.
The MyEnergyXpert platform is a website that allows residents and businesses to measure their current energy consumption by inputting information about their fuel and power usage. The website then uses the information to offer suggestions on improvements or changes to reduce unnecessary energy use or waste and, in turn, find savings. The technology was developed by the Toronto-based company energyX Solutions, which was contracted by the province to develop this tool for P.E.I.
“It empowers homes and businesses to do three key things: lower their energy usage, it helps them save money while doing so and helps them lower their carbon footprint,” said Nishaant Sangaavi, CEO of energyX Solutions.
“The platform is licensed by utilities, energy retailers, organizations like Efficiency P.E.I., who
then customize it, configure it and roll it out to their customers and their residence base with the entire idea to facilitate energy conservation.” Islanders who log onto the website will be asked questions such as what kind of lights they use, what appliances they own, building insulation levels, and also their postal code and building type.
Sangaavi says this information is then combined with the platform’s algorithms to determine an individualized energy savings plan. But the information is also being used by the province to gather data about Islanders’ energy habits.
Mike Proud, manager of Efficiency P.E.I., said the information could be used to help the province customize its incentive programs or target specialized programming where trends are identified.
Energy Minister Paula Biggar stressed the province’s privacy laws would safeguard any personal information gathered through this tool.
“We will certainly not be sharing that information with anyone,” she said, adding the private company that owns the technology for this web tool has signed a contract that includes adherence to P.E.I.’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy legislation.
The two-year contract between the province and energyX Solutions cost less than $20,000. Biggar says it’s more about “bragging rights” for the company to be able to launch a customized product it developed provincewide. “Ultimately it’s way to entice Islanders to save on their energy consumption because there’s a lot ways that, by doing some small improvements, can certainly impact on their energy costs,” Biggar said. Islanders can access MyEnergyXpert for free by visiting pei.myenergyxpert.com.