Two years after Microsoft followed Google’s lead to launch a home energy management system for consumers, the software giant has announced that it too is stopping its Hohm service.

Last week, Google announced that it is pulling the plug on its PowerMeter service after lower than expected take up.

Microsoft announced in a blog last week that Hohm will only continue to operate until the end of May next year.

The company echoed Google’s comments, saying that while feedback from customers has been good, market adoption has been slow.

But Microsoft was adamant that its efforts had not been wasted, saying:
“Microsoft Hohm has helped demonstrate the critical role of information in helping people and organizations improve how energy is generated, distributed and ultimately consumed.”

Instead, Microsoft says it will focus more on commercial products and solutions for the power generation, distribution, building and transport sectors.

The company says it will also be working with utilities, universities, governments, building management companies and the IT industry to develop energy efficient solutions for cities, like its Smart Energy Reference Architecture (SERA).

For further information:
blog.microsoft-hohm.com/news/11-06-30/Microsoft_Hohm_Service_Discontinuation.aspx
www.microsoft-hohm.com/

Related stories:
Google pulls plug on PowerMeter after poor take up (29-Jun)
Microsoft Hohm scores on energy efficiency (28-May 2010)
Ford and Microsoft join forces on vehicle recharging (6-Apr 2010)
Microsoft’s Hohm help for energy saving unveiled (25-Jun 2009)