Fed:Invention allows you to measure electricity in dollars/cents

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Fed:Invention allows you to measure electricity in dollars/cents

By Shane Wright

CANBERRA, Aug 12 AAP - The Californian power crisis has helped an Australian man createan electricity meter that measures a home's power consumption in dollars and cents.

Ross Halliwell's invention is so sensitive, parents will be able to tell how much theirteenager's ever-glowing light bulb is costing the family budget.

The invention was today named one of the winners in the annual Eureka Prizes whichrecognise the nation's best scientists and inventors.

Mr Halliwell said the idea came to him as he was reading newspapers about the Californianpower crisis on a trip back from the United States.

Fearing Australia would soon have its own power shortage problems, he came up withthe concept of what is now the Cent-a-Meter Wireless Electricity Monitor.

He talked to a long time friend who also happened to be an electrical engineer, andtwo years later the invention is about to hit the production line.

Mr Halliwell said his father was an inventor, while his grandfather was responsiblefor the initial electrical lights at the Sydney showground.

He said while there were plenty of inventors, getting an invention to market was thehardest part of the trade.

"You see a lot of good inventions, but I suppose I'm lucky because I've been able toget them produced and to market," he told AAP.

The meter, apart from measuring power consumption in dollars and cents, can also tellthe greenhouse gas cost of a home's electricity use.

It measures a power change of 20 watts or more - enough to amply determine how muchturning on a fan is costing.

Trials have already shown people use the monitors.

"The trials showed that households quickly adapt their power usage once they can seejust how much power they are using," he said.

"The average savings were five per cent."

The meter, which will sell for slightly under $200, should be on sale commerciallyin eight weeks.

Apart from the meter, the Eureka Prizes also recognised Australian National Universitymathematician Brendan McKay for his work to debunk claims that computer analysis of theBible can reveal hidden messages and prophecies.

Queensland inventor John Dobozy was recognised for creating a system that convertsold tyres into valuable commodities.

AAP sw/sb/cd/de

KEYWORD: EUREKA