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Michael Breton
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IT@Intel is producing a series of four videos to highlight various Intel IT sustainability projects and the Intel IT experts that work on them.  The videos will be published on Intel’s IT@Intel site as well as on the IT@Intel Playlist within Intel’s YouTube channel.  I was privileged to be featured in the first video, which covers some of my personal expertise in home control and energy management as well as how I’m now using that experience conducting proof of concepts in the office environment for Intel IT. Here’s a link to the first video and stay tuned for future videos in the series.

 

Here’s the first video in the series.

 

You can also check the IT@Intel Playlist on Intel’s YouTube Channel for this video series as well as other IT@Intel videos.

 

Feel free to ask if you have any questions about the first video.

 

-Mike Breton

Tags: it_sustainability, green_it@intel, sustainability, intel_it, energy_management_systems, technology_evangelist, disruptive_technologies, mike_breton, real-time_energy_usage


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Oct 13, 2009 9:10 AM Chris P_Intel Chris P_Intel    says:

Mike, This is cool stuff.  How long have you had these controls in your house?
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Oct 13, 2009 3:18 PM Michael Breton Michael Breton    says in response to Chris P_Intel:

Thanks Chris.  I've been doing home automation in my home for about 10 years now.  The command and control network and control systems have changed and grown over the years as I'm always playing with new technologies.  I began to add in energy use cases in 2005 when I ran a proof of concept for Intel IT along with my local utility.

 

-Mike
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Nov 9, 2009 7:42 PM Guest Frank Berg  says in response to Michael Breton:

Mike,

Excellent video and more importantly it looks like you built an excellent home automation system. You're obviously comfortable climbing in your attack and fishing wires through walls! Can you tell us what kind of controllers and software you are using? I've been wanting to do this myself at home and seeing the video has kicked me into action. Thanks!
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Nov 10, 2009 12:22 PM Michael Breton Michael Breton    says in response to Frank Berg:

Thanks for the comment Frank.  Yes, I've been doing home control and automation stuff, as a hobby and even for Intel's Digital Home Group for a while, for some time.  I'm a big fan of using an Intel based platform as the home controller, not only because I work for Intel and trust the platform architecture, but I've found a "PC" based controller to be much more flexible and open to future changes than a embedded type controller.

 

There are several command and control networking technologies available from power line to RF to hybrids as well as competing technologies within each type.  I recommend you look at the different technologies as well as the available products using those technologies and choose what works best for your home.  The nice thing about a PC based controller is you can just add in different adaptors and support multiple device networks.  You might start with checking out products at SmartHome.com and HomeControls.com as just a couple examples.  You'll also find several PC based software control products.  Most have free trials so I suggest you check them out and see what works best for you and level of control you need / want.

 

You may also want to check out an article I wrote in 2005 on an install I did for my parents in AZ.  It'll give you a overview of some of the possible use cases of a fully integrated home.

 

-Mike
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