Tendril has launched the Connect Application Developer website and the Tendril Energy Internet and Smart Home App Contest, which began Jan. 4 with $5,000 worth of prize money. Winners will be announced on Jan. 22 at the Cleanweb Hackathon taking place in New York City.

Developers have an easy-to-use, intuitive way to build apps that can work with major smart meter systems, and a growing number of third-party smart devices for the home; like smart appliances. The apps can also be used across open and proprietary communication protocols, numerous operating systems like Android and iOS, and utility back-office environments. For utilities that license the Tendril Connect platform, they now have a secure, scalable platform that allows them to connect to the potentially limitless number of consumer touch points in the home.

More than 100 developers have already signed up to use the Tendril Connect platform to develop applications since Tendril first opened access to key Tendril Connect platform APIs in August 2011.

The Tendril Connect Application Developer website provides an intuitive developer web experience, including specifications for getting started with Tendril APIs and a sandbox for developers to test their applications against a set of sample accounts spanning a variety of user profile types. Additionally, developers may exercise Tendril Connect platform APIs quickly and easily through a code playground that returns generated code and request-response data in either XML or JSON.

The website also enables developers to easily build connections between a web app and smart devices. For example, through Tendril platform APIs a developer can both read from and change settings for smart thermostats, smart plugs, smart appliances and new smart devices that are continuously being integrated with the Tendril Connect platform. By having an open app development, and open device integration, a complete end-to-end home energy management solution is now possible. In the coming months, Tendril plans to offer developers a smart device application developer kit, providing them with Tendril connected smart devices for use in creating new apps.

The Tendril Connect Application Developer website includes:

• API documentation
• A “My Apps” area, which keeps track of application names and keys and allows the app owner to give multiple developers access to an app’s key, and change the owner of an app
• A developer sandbox that lets developers test their apps with sample data
• A “Try It Now” option that lets developers test out individual API calls
• Sample accounts connected to live hardware including smart thermostats and smart plugs
• A developer community forum, where app developer program members can exchange information and collaborate as well as interact with Tendril engineers
• A blog with posts from Tendril engineers with all the latest and greatest about the Tendril Connect platform, APIs and app developer community news
• Articles for learning more about the energy industry, electricity principals, electricity pricing, metering and authentication

Application developers can join the Tendril Connect Application Developer Program and access developer tools at http://dev.tendrilinc.com. They can also follow the Tendril Connect Application Developer community online using Twitter at @tendrilapi or on Facebook at facebook.com/tendrilconnectappdevprogram.

In addition to the launch of its new Tendril Connect Application Developer website, Tendril announced it is holding an Energy Internet and Smart Home App Contest. Winners will be named at the Cleanweb Hackathon taking place Jan. 21-22, 2012 at New York University in New York City. Developers interested in participating in the contest should visit http://dev.tendrilinc.com/blog to register and receive more contest information.