Ambient Devices' Energy Orb is a frosted-glass ball that illuminates a varying degree of colors to represent critical peak demand conditions on the smart grid. During high demand, when prices are more expensive, the Orb pulses and changes color to forewarn users when power supplies are strained. The Orb illuminates green when demand is low, yellow when demand is moderate and red when demand is high. Consumers can use this "glanceable information" to make smarter energy consumption choices in their homes.