In 2018, Dan Williams, a PhD from the University of Reading, and Josh Eadie, a robotics and machine learning expert, recognised a ubiquitous but overlooked problem: energy waste from electronic devices left plugged in or on standby.
The duo saw substantial environmental and financial costs of this unnecessary power draw, particularly in commercial settings.
Driven to make a difference, they harnessed their expertise and developed an innovative solution: an AI-powered smart socket to reduce energy consumption at the source.
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In early 2018, Eadie built the first prototype, embedding intelligent controls directly into plug sockets. By early 2019, they had produced the initial batch of prototypes, followed by pilot installations in April 2020.
That was the beginning of measurable.energy, their UK-headquartered company, which is now helping businesses reduce energy waste and cut costs.
“While typically overlooked in favour of larger systems such as HVAC, plug power makes up nearly 40 per cent of a commercial building’s total energy use,” says Williams, co-founder and CEO of measurable.energy. “Our smart sockets work autonomously to detect and eliminate this power drain, allowing businesses to cut electricity bills and reduce carbon emissions by up to 50 per cent.”
AI-driven insights for better energy management
The AI-driven technology within measurable.energy’s smart sockets plays a key role in identifying and adapting to usage patterns. The system learns from each device’s behaviour, detecting when devices are likely in use or idle and automatically switching them on or off accordingly.
Users can access real-time data via a dedicated dashboard, enabling them to monitor, manage, and optimise energy consumption at a granular level. This detailed feedback helps businesses improve carbon tracking accuracy and ensure compliance with energy regulations.
“Since the product launch in 2023, we have helped reduce nearly 200 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in commercial deployments,” claims Williams. “In commercial buildings, which account for 28 per cent of global carbon emissions, measurable.energy targets plug power waste, thereby supporting companies in achieving their net-zero ambitions.”
Currently, measurable.energy’s smart sockets are available for businesses through a pricing model that combines a one-time hardware fee with a software license for AI-driven functionality.
Measurable Energy offers smart sockets for businesses. Their pricing model consists of a one-time hardware fee and a software license fee for AI-driven functionality.
While expansion into the residential sector is planned for the future, the company remains focused on B2B clients for now.
With widespread adoption, the startup envisions cumulative positive impacts across both commercial and residential sectors, advancing sustainable energy practices on a large scale.
measurable.energy recently raised £4 million (US$5.2 million) in a Series A+ funding round co-led by Vertex Exploratory Fund, a fund under Vertex Holdings (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek), and UK-based cleantech VC firm Clean Growth Fund. This capital injection will support R&D efforts, allowing the company to expand manufacturing capabilities and add new features to its smart sockets, with a particular focus on expansion in Southeast Asia, North America, and Europe.
Expansion in Southeast Asia
The measurable.energy founding team
“One of the most promising aspects of our expansion strategy lies in Southeast Asia,” Williams adds. “We see considerable potential in markets like Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand, where the UK-standard socket is widely used. This compatibility, coupled with the region’s push toward energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions, has created a favorable environment for measurable.energy’s technology.”
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The venture plans to partner with local businesses and experts in Southeast Asia to streamline entry, leveraging their insights to ensure smooth adoption and local relevance.
Looking ahead, measurable.energy plans to launch a version of its smart socket compatible with US outlets, making strides toward the North American market.
Additionally, the startup is developing a desk extension module to provide users with more flexibility and connectivity, allowing the technology to integrate even further into daily operations.
The team is gearing up for a Series B funding round in 2025, setting ambitious milestones to enter new international markets, boost unit sales, and scale its R&D workforce.
As measurable.energy continues to expand and innovate, its impact on reducing energy waste and promoting sustainable practices could shape the future of energy management on a global scale.
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