Ontarians will get to vote on their favourite among 30 software apps developed to support the province's smart-meter power conservation efforts.

The Ministry of Energy is partnering with the MaRS Discovery District tech hub and is inviting the public to vote in the Energy Apps for Ontario Challenge.

Online voting for the People's Choice Award began Monday and ends Feb. 17. People can visit the challenge website at energyappsontario.challengepost.com to watch videos about each submission before placing a vote.

The ministry said people can also be part of social media on Twitter by using the hashtag #energyapps.

The $50,000 prize will support the best new apps that use electricity data collected by smart meters to help households and businesses better understand and manage their electricity use.

Ontario has introduced smart meters ─ along with a “time-of-use” electricity pricing to promote conservation. About 4.7 million smart meters have been installed in residences and small businesses across Ontario.

But critics say the $1-billion-plus cost of the smart-meter plan will be clawed back from users through higher charges to their bills.

PC Leader Tim Hudak has in the past called smart meters “a dumb idea” and promised to kill the program he says is another tax on ratepayers who already face big jumps in power costs because of the Liberals' green energy policies.

Hudak also said too many families simply end up paying higher rates under the smart-meter plan because they can’t shift their power-usage habits.

The Energy Apps for Ontario Challenge launched last fall and got 30 submissions: 26 from Ontario and four from the United States. Eight of the apps were created by university and college students.

A panel of judges will review and select the apps for the other awards: Gold; Silver; Bronze; Best Student App; and Best App Created Outside of Ontario.

Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli said he welcomes "such a strong response" to the apps challenge.

"These innovative apps will empower Ontarians by transforming electricity data into meaningful information, so they can better understand their electricity use and manage their bills."

MaRS CEO Ilse Treurnicht said "Ontario’s adoption of the Green Button standard, in combination with developer events such as this challenge, creates new opportunities for entrepreneurs to build innovative energy solutions."

"These solutions not only give Ontario consumers more control over their energy, but also position our companies for leadership in the booming global energy IT industry.”

Ontario offering $50,000 to support best new smart-meter apps

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