Microsoft and Ford have just inked a deal to combine forces on producing a computerized link between people’s homes, their electric cars and the utility companies.

The system will combine Microsoft Hohm with Ford’s electric cars, specifically, next year’s Ford Focus Electric (image above). Hohm will act as an intermediary between a person’s house and the utility company and tell the owner when the most efficient and affordable time to plug their electric car in. It will also help balance demand out as it recommends charging at appropriate moments to consumers by offering reduced costs at the right time.

Smart grid technology is a burgeoning and crucial field of development for environmentally friendly technology and it’s good to see such heavy hitting companies contributing on this front.

Intel, the company behind the processors in so many of our computers and various devices, is taking a major interest in advancing its smart grid technology.

In the next month or two Intel will start pilot tests on its new home energy management devices in Oregon. Intel is also currently working on project with Tendril Networks that will let people program their home’s energy settings via their television. The TV interface allows the user to communicate with their utilities as well as the their thermostat.

Both of these projects are being designed to help consumers save money by reducing their energy usage. Reducing energy usage also helps make for a more sustainable environment, something that green consumers should be excited about.