Smart meter spin-out wins praise

28th February 2008

An Oxford University spin-out company, due to launch later this year, has won praise for its smart meter technology from Shadow Chancellor George Osborne.

In a recent speech George Osborne MP said Intelligent Sustainable Energy was as an example of the kind of green technology needed to help tackle climate change.

Intelligent Sustainable Energy (ISE) is developing an innovative electricity metering and monitoring device – the Geni-e meter – which can accurately identify the amount of energy being used by individual electrical appliances.

While so-called ‘smart meters’ are currently available these only measure total electricity consumption, making it difficult to see exactly where energy savings could be made. By delivering a detailed energy-use breakdown the Geni-e meter aims to help householders to spot energy misuse, malfunctioning or energy-guzzling devices and enable them to both reduce their carbon footprint and save money.

The company’s founders include Dr Malcolm McCulloch, Head of the Electrical Power Group at Oxford’s Department of Engineering Science, and chartered engineer Jim Donaldson. It is in the process of raising funds for commercialisation, and is planning to spin out from Isis Innovation, the technology transfer arm of Oxford University.

For further information, please contact:

Dr David Churchman, Isis Innovation
T +44 (0) 1865 280857
E david.churchman@isis.ox.ac.uk