Ten Eco-Friendly Companies

Don Emert and his utility make a perfect power couple. Gulf Power watches how much wattage Emert's Pace, Fla., home is grabbing from the grid. Emert's tricked-out thermostat tracks which of Gulf's next 8,700 hours of electricity will cost the most. Sensors tell appliances to adjust accordingly. And--because friends take care of friends--Emert pays up to 25 percent less for power.

He can thank Comverge, Inc., for the extra cash. Backed by $35.4 million in venture capital, the East Hanover, N.J., company has already sold "energy intelligence" products--which use wireless tech to help utilities control consumption--to 500 power providers in 15 countries. But the $50 million, 10,000-customer Gulf deal is the one to watch. "It's the only mass-deployed system of its kind in the world," says CEO Bob Chiste. "This is the future."

Here's why: Comverge tech lets residents choose what (and when) they're willing to pay for electricity--and then lets them sit back and relax. Picture this: Gulf warns Emert's thermostat (by pager) that the price of power will rise tomorrow at 2 p.m.; Emert's AC responds (per his preset orders) by jumping from 68 to 70 degrees. "We avoid the spikes--and we don't have to build that next pow-er plant," says Margaret Neyman, Gulf's marketing general manager. Apply the Comverge model to the entire grid and, according to a 2004 RAND Corporation study, the potential benefits could reach $132 billion over 20 years.

Cautious utilities and strict state regulations make for a slow rollout. But programs will debut soon in New Jersey and Alabama, and Comverge expects to double its revenue next year to $40 million. "This has to go to the masses," says Chiste. With the cost of home heating set to soar this winter, the masses might not mind when Comverge comes calling.

--Andrew Romano

© 2005