The project started on August 1st, 2015. The first task was to upgrade PowerPlug's existing PC power management software - "PowerPlug Pro", to a cloud based architecture that will enable multi-tenant, lower the requirements of using the system and enable more customers to do PC Power Management.
In addition, PowerPlug started to develop a unique hardware device, the PC Power Monitor, that monitors the actual power consumption of the computer it is connected to, and automatically calibrate the system with real-life consumption data that will result in a more accurate reporting and higher system reliability.
Both tasks were completed during the 1st period: PowerCloud 1.0 was installed on a hosted server and tested by PowerPlug's QA team, and the PC Power Monitor hardware device was designed, developed and a prototype was successfully produced.
Towards the 2nd period, PowerPlug started the pilot program for PowerCloud by preparing an end-user agreement and a pilot test program for customers that will evaluate the system. PowerPlug contacted several potential organizations that showed interest in testing the system and identified 2 pilot customers.
Two changes were made to the project during the first period:
1. moving the PowerPlug Access Point development from the 1st period to the 2nd period. This was necessary as we did not have the bandwidth to do 2 hardware projects along with the software development.
2. Remove support for OpenADR and two deliverables (D1.5 and D3.5). The reason for the removal was due to lack of adaption of the OpenADR protocol by any utility company across the European Union. The project officer approved both modifications.
The expert assessment recommended that the work hours that should have been done on OpenADR integration will be directed to the pilot program (WP3). The recommendation was taken into account and PowerPlug tried to identify and execute a third pilot program but could not complete the task in time to be included in the final reporting. The third pilot (Hospital in Israel) did start on October 2017 but was not included it in the report (as it started after 30/09/17). In addition to the work that was added for WP3, some additional work hours were directed to WP2 as it took us more time than we planned. (Also approved by the project officer).
On the dissemination and communication front, PowerPlug created a special section in the company web site for PowerCloud project, including detailed information on the project goals, benefits, features and components. PowerPlug continues to maintain and enhance the project web site which is publicly available.
During the 2nd period of the project, PowerPlug has engaged 2 customers and started a pilot for PowerCloud private cloud. Since both customers are high security firms (a government agency and a large bank), they did not agree to sign the pilot agreement and publish pilot results will with their name. They agree to publish the results without mention of the origin company and any identifying data. PowerPlug conducted the two pilots successfully and published the pilot results as part of the project deliverables.
Using feedbacks received from the pilot customers and a list of issues that were found by the internal QA team, a formal list of issues in PowerCloud version 1 was compiled and published as a project deliverable. This list was the basis to the work done on WP4 – upgrade of PowerCloud to version 1.1 and fix of all the issues found in 1.0. The task was completed successfully along with the development of the PowerPlug Access Point hardware device.
PowerPlug Access Point enables PowerCloud to save power on all the PCs in the network but still retain the ability to wake up any PC at any given time. This ability is unique to PowerCloud and is part of a patent that was granted by the US patent office to PowerPlug Ltd.
Dissemination: PowerPlug used several channels in order to promote PowerCloud: a marketing research firm was used to identify potential pilot customers and the product was presented and promoted in the following events: SME Innovation Summit (Brussels), CeBIT 2017 (Hannover, Germany), US Israel Energy Convention (San Francisco), Israeli Smart Energy Association meetings (Tel Aviv), Smart Cities convention (Moscow).
PowerPlug continued to update the web site with information and screenshot showing the progress of the project and also used social media (Facebook, LinkedIn). PowerPlug did not use other communication scientific tools as the project is commercially focused and less of a scientific nature.
A new explainer video of PowerCloud was created and uploaded to the project web site and to social media channels.
Exploitation – By the end of the project, PowerCloud has not yet generated revenues for the company. The pilot program for PowerCloud is active and involve as of October 2017 3 customers that are using and testing PowerCloud, one pilot is at the final stage and receives positive reactions from the customer and the second and 3rd pilots are in progress. PowerPlug is at the final stage of compiling a marketing and sales program for 2018 that will include distribution of the product in Israel as well as 2 other European countries. PowerPlug will continue to develop, promote and market PowerCloud product while publishing the essential part the European Commission had in its development.
