Smart grid comes home: Google buys Nest

Yesterday Google announced the purchase of Nest, a company that makes “smart” thermostats. Why would Google pay such a handsome price ($3.2 billion) for something as prosaic as thermostats? In short, because these devices may represent the single largest untapped energy management opportunity available — something that many utilities probably would gladly pay for. Not to mention, smart thermostats also provide a way to bring energy management inside the home.

Full post on Siemens Smart Grid Watch blog: Google’s Nest acquisition brings the smart grid closer to home