The idea is simple:display household energy consumption on a display of some kind inside the home.  The real time feedback allows you, the resident, to easily and consistently adjust your energy use - hopefully lowering it!  I received an EID for my birthday last year, but it turned out to be incompatible with my utility meter.  My meter was recently upgraded to a smart meter, so now I'm considering a diferent display.  My new SRP smart meter allows my utility to email me the previous day's energy use, but I would rather be able to see the number go up and down immediately as various appliances turn on and off.  Her'es a relevent article.