Ambient Devices and PG&E Partner with Energy Orb

Ambient Devices’ Ambient Orb, which is known for being a visual indicator of the current level of the Dow Jones, can now be tuned into PG&E and give a visual representation of the current load of their power grid.  PG&E customer can simply plug the orb into an outlet and it will automatically start receiving power grid updates over a 900 MHz broadcast network.  When energy demand is low the orb will glow green, but when the energy demand is high, it will turn red.  PG&E is hoping this will help avoid brownouts by alerting consumers that the system is being taxed heavily and reminding them to turn off nonessential appliances.  If you aren’t a PG&E customer and don’t live in CA, you can still buy the Orb and use on a number Ambient’s channels for example, use it to…

• check your portfolio
• see how many AIM buddies are online
• see the current temperature
• as a visual surf report
• track presidential approval ratings (not recommended right now unless you like the color red)

All in all the partnership of PG&E and Ambient’s Orb will offer California residents an aesthetically pleasing visual reminder of the energy we all use.