Energy Amnesia

The project, 'Energy Amnesia', draws inspiration from 'Memento's' unreliable memory and 'Neuromancer's' dystopian future where access to information is power. The core concept is a home energy management system disguised as a game or challenge.

Story/Concept:
Imagine waking up each day 'forgetting' how much energy you typically use. The system doesn't present you with historical energy data upfront. Instead, it sets a 'daily energy budget' based on a dynamically adjusted baseline (calculated from previous weeks, seasonal adjustments, etc. - but this baseline is hidden from the user). As you use energy throughout the day, the system slowly reveals snippets of past energy usage (e.g., 'Yesterday, your washing machine used X kWh') only -after- a certain amount of energy has been consumed, and these snippets are framed as clues or 'memories' resurfacing. If you stay below budget, you are rewarded with virtual points, access to exclusive tips (scraped from online health/energy content), or even small, tangible rewards like discounted energy-efficient products. The more efficiently you use energy, the clearer the 'memories' become, revealing more about your consumption habits and unlocking greater rewards.

How it works:
1. Data Acquisition: The system connects to smart meters (or utilizes a clamp meter-based DIY solution for older meters) to collect real-time energy consumption data. A Raspberry Pi or similar microcontroller acts as the central processing unit.
2. Baseline Calculation: A simple algorithm calculates a dynamic baseline based on previous consumption data, time of year, and potentially even weather forecasts. This baseline is intentionally hidden from the user.
3. Budgeting and Snippet Generation: A daily energy budget is set, slightly below the dynamic baseline. As energy is consumed, the system generates short 'memory' snippets about past consumption (e.g., 'Yesterday, your lights were on for 3 hours.', 'Two days ago, your shower heated up 20 Liters of water.'). The less energy used relative to the baseline, the more detailed and helpful the 'memory' becomes. The scraper project inspiration comes in here, where the snippets could include curated content on related energy-saving information found around the web (e.g. 'Did you know that LED bulbs use 75% less energy than incandescent ones?').
4. Gamification and Rewards: Points are awarded for staying below budget. These points can be redeemed for rewards like energy-saving tips, discounts on energy-efficient appliances, or even contributions to environmental charities.
5. User Interface: A simple web or mobile app displays the real-time energy consumption, the daily budget, the 'memory' snippets, and the reward progress. The user interface is designed to be minimalist and avoid overwhelming the user with data.

Implementation Notes:
- Low Cost: Utilizes readily available hardware like Raspberry Pi, clamp meters, and open-source software.
- Niche: Focuses on the psychological aspect of energy consumption rather than simply presenting data.
- High Earning Potential: Can be monetized through partnerships with energy providers, appliance manufacturers, or by selling a premium version with advanced features (e.g., smart home integration, predictive analytics).
- Individual Implementation: The system can be built and deployed by an individual with basic programming and electronics skills. No complex infrastructure is required. It can be expanded incrementally.