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Show HN: Terminal dashboard that throttles my PC during peak electricity rates

naveen.ing

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Show HN: Terminal dashboard that throttles my PC during peak electricity rates

#1

Post by naveen_k »

WattWise is a CLI tool that monitors my workstation’s power draw using a smart plug and automatically throttles the CPU & GPUs during expensive Time-of-Use electricity periods. Built with Python, uses PID controllers for smooth transitions between power states. Works with TP-Link Kasa plugs and Home Assistant.

Show HN: Terminal dashboard that throttles my PC during peak electricity rates
naveen.ing

Re: Show HN: Terminal dashboard that throttles my PC during peak electricity rates

#4

Post by PeterStuer »

Nice project, but would it not be more rational to have your system running underclocked/undervolted at the optimal perf/watt at all times, with an optional boost to max performance for a time critical task? Running it away from the optimum might save on instant consumption but increase your aggregate consumption.

Re: Show HN: Terminal dashboard that throttles my PC during peak electricity rates

#5

Post by pests »

ajsnigrutin wrote: post #2

Why all this instead of a simple cronjob switching from performance to powersave profiles depeding on current time (=electricity price)?

I'm on a time of use rate plan, most expensive from 11am-7pm. However they also have "Critical Peak Events" which increase the rate about 10x to over a $1/kwh that last up to 4 hours. Just saying it would be a bit more complex then just checking the time.

Re: Show HN: Terminal dashboard that throttles my PC during peak electricity rates

#6

Post by ajsnigrutin »

pests wrote: post #5
ajsnigrutin wrote: post #2

Why all this instead of a simple cronjob switching from performance to powersave profiles depeding on current time (=electricity price)?

I'm on a time of use rate plan, most expensive from 11am-7pm. However they also have "Critical Peak Events" which increase the rate about 10x to over a $1/kwh that last up to 4 hours. Just saying it would be a bit more complex then just checking the time.

So how do you get that data (status) now (if(is-critical-peak-event){})? Do the smartplugs gather some smartgrid-style data?

Re: Show HN: Terminal dashboard that throttles my PC during peak electricity rates

#7

Post by throwaway3231 »

PeterStuer wrote: post #4

Nice project, but would it not be more rational to have your system running underclocked/undervolted at the optimal perf/watt at all times, with an optional boost to max performance for a time critical task? Running it away from the optimum might save on instant consumption but increase your aggregate consumption.

It's well established that completing the same task more slowly at a lower clock rate is actually less energy-efficient.

Re: Show HN: Terminal dashboard that throttles my PC during peak electricity rates

#10

Post by nottorp »

PeterStuer wrote: post #4

Nice project, but would it not be more rational to have your system running underclocked/undervolted at the optimal perf/watt at all times, with an optional boost to max performance for a time critical task? Running it away from the optimum might save on instant consumption but increase your aggregate consumption.

How is it with modern overclocked by default cpus? If you cut power use by 50% you still get 80% of the performance?
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