Google has joined the IPSO Alliance, which is a group of technology companies aimed at promoting the Internet Protocol for "smart object communications." The idea is that items ranging from appliances to cars, and even factories, can communicate as individuals do on the web.

"Google's participation in IPSO is a result of its expectation that many devices will become part of the Internet environment," said Vint Cerf, Google's Vice President and Chief Internet Evangelist. "The IPv4 and IPv6 Internet protocols are well established and used for this purpose. Google's PowerMeter application makes use of this idea to help Smart Grid users capture and analyze their energy usage information."

You may recall earlier this year when Google began testing the Google PowerMeter. This is a tool that allows consumers to see how much energy they use in real time. Watch the following clip:

"The addition of Google, and its PowerMeter service, to the Alliance really completes the Smart Grid circle within IPSO," explained Geoff Mulligan, Chairman of the IPSO Alliance. "Now, not only will consumers be able to use the products and services of IPSO Alliance member companies to connect their home to the grid, they also will be able to monitor how those appliances, and their entire home, are consuming energy."

Other companies involved with the IPSO Alliance include Fujitsu, Echelon Corporation, the Elster Group, and August Systems. The Alliance has been around just over a year, and has already been named one of Time Magazine's Best Inventions (of 2008).

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