TORONTO – Ontario is challenging software developers to create new apps to help residents monitor their electricity use, conserve energy and save money.
The Energy Apps for Ontario Challenge is offering $50,000 to support the best new apps that use electricity data collected by smart metres.
More than 4.7 million homes and small businesses in Ontario are connected to smart metres, which collect extensive data about energy usage.
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App developers will have access to the data collected on the smart grid and consumers will be able to authorize secure transfers of their own information for use on their tablets and smartphones.
The challenge was announced Tuesday by Minister of Energy Bob Chiarelli at Ryerson University’s Digital Media Zone in Toronto.
Chiarelli said the apps will empower Ontario consumers and help them slash their energy bills.
“We are relying on this competition to come up with ideas we haven’t even thought of yet, that will be beneficial to consumers,” he said.
Submissions will be accepted until Jan. 7 of next year. Winners will be announced shortly afterward.
There will be awards for the best three apps, the best student app, the best app created outside Ontario and the public’s favourite, among others.
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