Google to launch smart grid today

So Google, users of massive amounts of power to keep their gigantical server farm running, are trying to appear saintly, economical and green by suggesting their own technology could curb electricity use? Until they take renewable energy seriously within their own company, this seems nothing more than an attempt at greenwashing.

Way too many companies have already developed this tech. They are coming pretty late to the game. Smart meters have been around for quite a while. The public utility commisioners in the US have it all wrong. They want borderline pointless devices like this in everyones homes yesterday. Instead of, oh I don't know, improving grid efficiency and safety? You know, the stuff that will REALLY save people money in the long run.

PUC's will approve rate hikes for these useless toys, but will not approve rate hikes for fixing grids. They are completely lost.

So there is going to be a global roll-out of power meters and Google, out of the sheer goodness of its non-evil heart, wants to be the one to display that data for the world (and its advertisers) to see ? I'll be looking at this project with great interest - waiting for the day someone starts complaining about getting ads for dishwashers and his own just broke down.