Seymourpowell has designed the ecomanager device for EDF Energy, enabling consumers to monitor and control their household energy usage and reduce energy bills. The device uses transmitter plugs and a handheld controller, displaying real-time running costs and CO2 emissions. EDF Energy emphasizes that the ecomanager can aid in lowering carbon emissions and is a significant step towards sustainable energy consumption.

1. PRESS RELEASE
Seymourpowell designs the new EcoManager device for EDF
Energy
London, UK, 4 November 2010 – leading global design and innovation company
Seymourpowell is pleased to announce its design for the newly launched EcoManager
device from EDF Energy, Britain’s largest producer of low carbon electricity. The
EcoManager is an innovative new wireless appliance controller which transforms the
way consumers both monitor and control the amount of electricity they use in their
homes.
The EcoManager allows consumers to see and control the energy consumption of
appliances from wherever the device is plugged in, helping people to reduce their
monthly energy bills. Users plug appliances they want to monitor and control into
transmitter plugs.
Seymourpowell worked with the team at EDF Energy to design the EcoManager
handheld controller unit with which the transmitter plugs communicate. The monitor then
displays the relative running costs* and CO2 emissions** of each appliance in real time.
Appliances can be turned completely off, so they are not on standby.
Ben Watson, senior designer at Seymourpowell commented, “We’re thrilled to have
been involved with the design of the EDF Energy EcoManager. As a company,
Seymourpowell has experience of working with a variety of clients on ‘green’ and/or
sustainable design projects, which naturally compliments our work for EDF Energy”
Noeleen Keane, product manager at EDF Energy, added, “The EcoManager is an
innovative device that can help people reduce their carbon emissions and cut their
household energy bills. Seymourpowell was a natural choice of partner to work with on
the design, and we’re very pleased with the reaction the new device is receiving”.
***ENDS***
*Cost information is calculated using a single rate. This rate is initially set at 16.33p/kWh but can
be changed by users.

2. ** The conversion factor used for the CO2 on the EcoManager controller unit is: 1 kWh =
0.537kg/CO2 (DEFRA 5-year Grid Rolling Average electricity emissions factor 2006).
For further information:
Tim Duncan
PR Global, Seymourpowell
Email: HYPERLINK "mailto:tim.duncan@seymourpowell.com"
tim.duncan@seymourpowell.com
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7386 2369
About Seymourpowell – the shape of things to come
Seymourpowell is one of the world’s leading design and innovation companies. Founded
in 1984 by Richard Seymour and Dick Powell, the London-based group of award-
winning designers has produced some of the ‘milestone’ products of the last two
decades. The company is now part of the Loewy Group.
Seymourpowell is currently 80 people, combining a design studio, research centre,
materials library and prototyping workshop.
Seymourpowell has a unique holistic approach to design and innovation, which
combines in depth experience and up to date intelligence about people, markets and
businesses. The company has the ability to forecast and interpret the vital implications of
behaviors and work out future scenarios to give its clients the confidence and
reassurance they are making the right decision.
Seymourpowell is skilled in exploiting ideas that create real value and always look to
move clients forward creatively. Seymourpowell is not just a company of visionary
thinkers, but future ‘doers’. Ultimately, Seymourpowell is about making things better:
better for people, better for business and better for the world.
Specialisms include design innovation, transportation design, ethnographic user
research, strategy and new product development (NPD), trends and forecasting, product
design and development, 3D structural design and 2D graphic design
About EDF Energy

3. EDF Energy is one of the UK’s largest energy companies and the largest producer of
low-carbon electricity, producing around one-fifth of the nation's electricity from its
nuclear, coal and gas power stations, as well as combined heat and power plants and
wind farms. The company supplies gas and electricity to more than 5.5 million business
and residential customers and is the biggest supplier of electricity by volume in the UK.
EDF Energy’s safe and secure operation of its eight existing nuclear power stations at
sites across the country makes it the UK’s largest generator of low carbon electricity.
EDF Energy is also leading the UK's nuclear renaissance and has published plans to
build four new nuclear plants, subject to the right investment framework. These new
plants could generate enough low carbon electricity for about 40% of Britain’s homes.
They would make an important contribution to the UK’s future needs for clean, secure
and affordable energy. The project is already creating business and job opportunities for
British companies and workers.
Through Our Sustainability Commitments, EDF Energy has launched one of the biggest
environmental and social programmes of any British energy company. EDF is the official
energy utilities partner and sustainability partner of the London 2012 Olympic and
Paralympic Games. The company is also helping its customers and others use energy
more sustainably through products and initiatives such as Team Green Britain, smart
meters and electric vehicle research.
EDF Energy is part of EDF Group, one of Europe’s largest power companies. The
company employs around 15,000 people at locations across the UK.