The Static! project, developed by the Interactive Institute, aimed to investigate how interaction design could increase users awareness of how energy is used in order to stimulate changes in user behaviour. Several products were prototyped as part of the Static! project, one of which was the Power Aware Cord.

"The ‘Power-Aware Cord’ is a re-designed electrical power strip in which the cord is designed to visualize the energy rather than hiding it. The current use of electricity is represented through glowing pulses, flow, and intensity of light. This enables the user to visualise and reflect on the energy consumption of household devices.

The Power Aware Cord has been patented and is now commercially available in Europe. For more information visit: http://www.tii.se/static/poweraware.htm