"Understanding domestic energy consumption"
09.12.2009
In 2010, Michael Dupertuis, CEO of Geroco, will market Webnergie, a service that analyzes domestic energy consumption.
 Michael Dupertuis
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“In the area of energy conservation, many people have good intentions, but quickly get tired of the limiting factors involved.” After earning a certificate as an electronics engineer, Michel Dupertuis saw in his work as a home automation consultant the desire that people had to understand their level of energy consumption in a simple and straightforward way. “Existing solutions in this area were exorbitantly expensive. I wanted to offer a product that was more accessible.”
To do this, Dupertuis, a student at the University of Applied Sciences in Yverdon-les-Bains, launched a start-up company with three associates. To acquire the necessary entrepreneurial skills, he enrolled in a venture challenge training course the same year.
In parallel, Gereco is developing the Webnergie project. This system, consisting of special webnergie “plugs” that are installed in electrical outlets, allows the user to analyze the activity of household appliances in the residence. Using a special USB key, the data are then sent to a centralized web interface that lets the user visualize the energy use in each room and its annual cost.
Webnergie finally ties this information in with personalized advice for residents and a discussion forum, with the goal of creating a user community that will provide assistance over the long term. After having joined the Ark incubator in Martigny, Webnergie obtained phase I venture kick financing (10,000 Swiss francs) in 2009. Geroco’s initial Webnergie service should soon be adapted to the scale of an entire city, Masdar City in the United Arab Emirates.