IoT Integration, Energy Efficiency and DM Programs, Adoption of Platforms, and Consumer Engagement Strategies are key focus for executive event

Parks Associates announced today that NRG, EnergyHub, and Schneider Electric will deliver the keynotes for the seventh-annual Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer, February 22-24 in Austin, Texas. The three-day conference hosts over 250 executives from the residential energy management ecosystem, including utilities, retailers, broadband and residential security providers, appliance and home control manufacturers, and energy management solution and smart home vendors.

New research from Parks Associates shows adoption of smart energy devices and consumer interest in energy solutions as part of the smart home and IoT are growing:

• 36% of U.S. broadband households would participate in an energy program offering a free product.
• 30% of U.S. broadband households value control of their smart home energy devices over cost savings.
• Nearly 20% of U.S. broadband households own a smart home device, and 5% of households own a security system with home control products.
• More than 10% of U.S. broadband households are planning to buy a smart thermostat over the next 12 months. Nearly 75% of current owners report that this device has reduced their electricity bill.
•  Consumers are acquiring energy solutions from a variety of channels—36% bought their smart thermostat from a national or local retailer, 11% acquired it from a broadband service provider, and 13% acquired it from a security dealer.

“Many IoT-related opportunities are emerging from the energy markets, and our keynotes represent this growing diversity, examining strategies to leverage customer-installed products, expand energy offerings, and launch successful and profitable community-wide programs,” said Stuart Sikes, President, Parks Associates. “The event will focus on the new incentives to engage consumers, new partnerships that integrate devices with services, and personalized services that create new value propositions and drive widespread adoption.”

William Clayton, Vice President of Customer Care Operations, Reliant, NRG, will present the opening event keynote “Making Energy Easy and Engaging for Customers” on Tuesday, February 23, at 10 AM. He will present insights into customers’ evolving needs and how smart energy tools create new value propositions through automation and controls.

“Our customers’ desire to better control their energy usage coupled with innovative smart energy technology has really changed the role we play in their lives. In helping our customers navigate a new world of energy choices, we’ve moved from being a typical energy provider to a trusted partner. I’m excited to share how Reliant is making energy easy and engaging for customers at Smart Energy Summit,” said Bill Clayton, vice president of customer care operations at Reliant, an NRG company.

Seth Frader-Thompson, President, EnergyHub, will present the keynote “Connected Thermostats: A Revolution Driving Value for Utilities and Service Providers” on Tuesday, February 23 at 2 PM.  Seth Frader-Thompson will discuss the real-world benefits of the connected thermostat market for all major players, including connected home service providers, device manufacturers, and utilities.

"The Smart Energy Summit brings together leaders from across the energy industry to discuss how energy management fits into a strategic vision for the connected home,” said Seth Frader-Thompson, President, EnergyHub. “With more and more consumers adopting smart home energy devices, I look forward to sharing how connected home service providers, utilities, and device manufacturers are already getting value out of connected thermostats – and how they can supersize this value in the future."

Paul Campbell, VP Innovation / Head of Silicon Valley Innovation Center, Schneider Electric, will present the opening keynote “Getting Paid to Save Energy...Finally” on Wednesday, February 24, at 9:45 AM.  Paul Campbell will examine how new utility programs can result in valuable savings to the consumer and how the energy community can expand these programs toward mass adoption.

“The Parks Associates Smart Energy Summit is the perfect place to network, discuss and move the industry forward with collaboration, exchanging data on pilots, best practices and early insights that benefit us all,” said Paul Campbell, VP Innovation / Head of Silicon Valley Innovation Center, Schneider Electric.

Parks Associates will host the pre-show workshop “Energy in IoT: Consumer Trends, Business Models, and Incentives” prior to the opening reception for Smart Energy Summit on February 22, starting at 1 PM.  This research workshop details the changes in the consumer perspective in regard to energy efficiencies, and the firm’s leading energy-industry analysts will present the new business models and opportunities that follow these changes.

Smart Energy Summit Sponsors include Tendril, EnergyHub, Honeywell, Powerley and DTE Energy, Affinegy, ecobee, PlanetEcosystems, WeatherBug Home, WSI, Z-Wave, Schneider Electric, State Farm, Tyco, and WattzOn.

Media and organizations supporting the event include Advanced Energy Economy, IoT Consortium, Antenna, Antenna Systems & Technology, Conference Guru, Engerati, FierceEnergy, GreenButton Alliance, HomePlug Alliance, HomeToys.com, ISE Magazine, IoT Today, Israeli Smart Energy Association (ISEA), KNXtoday, Mercom Capital Group, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Open Interconnect Consortium, OpenADR Alliance, Remote Site & Equipment Management magazine, SmartGridNews, SmartGridSpain, Smart Grid Today, TD The Market Publishers, TREIA, Utility Dive, Utility Post, and WSN Buzz.

Information about the Smart Energy Summit can be found at http://www.ses2016.com. Press passes are available at http://www.parksassociates.com/ses-presspass. To schedule a meeting with an analyst or speaker or to request materials from the energy conference, please contact Holly Sprague at hsprague@gmail.comor 720.987.6614.

About Smart Energy Summit

Parks Associates’ 15th annual Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer is co-located with DISTRIBUTECH 2024 on February 27-28 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.  Smart Energy Summit addresses energy and renewables technology trends in the residential and small-to-medium business markets.

Industry players join expert panels and networking sessions to address the expansion and monetization of energy management and other energy-focused offerings through consumer engagement, new business models, unique partnerships, and innovative technologies.

The conference also features 2024 virtual sessions January 23, July 23, and October 10. Follow the event on Twitter/X at @SmartEnergySmt and #SmartEnergy24. For information on speaking, sponsoring, or attending Smart Energy Summit, visit www.smartenergysmt.com.