GreenButton

GreenButton_Logo

GreenButton is a technology initiative designed to provide consumers with easy access to their energy usage data. The initiative was launched in the United States in 2012, with the goal of promoting energy efficiency and empowering consumers to make informed decisions about their energy consumption.

Overview

The GreenButton initiative was developed in response to a call to action by the White House and the U.S. Department of Energy. It encourages utility companies to provide their customers with secure, easy-to-understand data about their energy usage. The data is typically provided in a standardized format, which can be easily downloaded and analyzed by consumers or third-party applications.

Functionality

GreenButton allows consumers to download their energy usage data from their utility's website. The data is provided in a standardized XML format known as the GreenButton Data (GBD) format. This format is based on the Energy Services Provider Interface (ESPI) standard, which ensures that the data is consistent and can be used by various applications and services.

Benefits

The primary benefits of the GreenButton initiative include:

• **Empowerment**: Consumers gain access to detailed information about their energy usage, enabling them to make more informed decisions about their energy consumption.
• **Energy Efficiency**: By analyzing their energy usage data, consumers can identify opportunities to reduce their energy consumption and lower their utility bills.
• **Innovation**: The standardized data format encourages the development of new applications and services that can help consumers manage their energy usage more effectively.

Adoption

Several major utility companies in the United States have adopted the GreenButton initiative, providing their customers with access to their energy usage data. The initiative has also gained support from various technology companies and organizations that develop applications and services to help consumers analyze and manage their energy usage.

Related Technologies

GreenButton is part of a broader movement towards smart grid technologies, which aim to modernize the electrical grid and improve its efficiency and reliability. Other related technologies and initiatives include:

• Smart meter
• Demand response
• Home energy management system

See Also

• Smart grid
• Smart meter
• Demand response
• Home energy management system
• U.S. Department of Energy