Leaders from utilities, energy providers, regulators, and smart home providers headline ninth-annual Smart Energy Summit
More than 250 executives from utilities, energy providers, regulators, and other IoT-related industries gathered this week in Austin, Texas, for the ninth-annual Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer, February 19-21. The conference focuses on the benefits of incorporating smart products into energy efficiency and DR programs and the opportunities for energy providers across converging ecosystems.
According to Parks Associates, 42% of U.S. broadband households are “leaders” in energy efficiency—they believe home energy efficiency is important, have efficient personal habits, and adopt technology with the early majority. These households are also most likely to make energy-saving home improvements; 45% of these leaders have made home improvements in the past year, compared to 37% of all U.S. broadband households.
“The large segment of energy-efficiency leaders will play a key role in driving crossover adoption of smart home technologies for energy solutions,” said Elizabeth Parks, SVP, Parks Associates. “This year’s Smart Energy Summit examines successful strategies to target the early majority and the implications for home energy management as utilities and energy providers explore next-generation energy monitoring and energy management solutions. The event also highlights the external forces reshaping home building as solar adoption increases and builders move on the path to net-zero homes.”
Smart Energy Summit examines the changing role of utilities to help empower and engage consumers with solutions to save energy in the home. The conference also identifies new strategies that utilities and other providers can leverage as a result of the adoption of new consumer technologies.
“Consumers show increasing preferences for hardware-as-a-service models for smart home bundles, specifically when the service provides additional ongoing benefits,” said Tom Kerber, Director of IoT Strategy, Parks Associates. “Utilities and energy providers have the expertise in installation and support services to create valuable partnerships with smart home manufacturers. Integrating smart home devices with energy efficiency and demand response programs is a starting point for developing ongoing relationships that can grow to the benefit of both parties.”
This year’s Smart Energy Summit features keynotes, presentations, and speaker panels from industry-leading experts in energy management. Keynotes include:
Kim Greene, EVP and COO, Southern Company
CR Herro, VP, Innovation, Meritage Homes
Dave Packard, VP, Utility Solutions, ChargePoint
Jamie Staples, Head, Retail Energy Partnerships, Nest Labs
Russ Vanos, VP, Sales and Marketing, Global Software and Services, Itron
Parks Associates hosted the pre-conference research workshop, “The Role of Energy Providers in the Smart Home,” on Monday, February 19, featuring findings from the consumer research project 360 View: Energy Management, Smart Home, and Utility Programs. Additional research from Parks Associates:
13% of U.S. broadband households have a smart thermostat
20-25% of homeowners in U.S. broadband households are interested in bundling home and energy services; 27% are interested in HVAC bundled with their electricity bill, and 25% find a home warranty and energy bundle appealing
12% of U.S. broadband households that do not currently have solar PV panels are likely to purchase them in the next year
Conference sponsors include Tendril, Rapid Response, Grid4C, Affinegy, Alarm.com, Austin Energy, Bidgely, Carrier, Innotrail, People Power, Powerley, Trusource Labs, The Weather Company, Whisker Labs, and the Z-Wave Alliance.
Conference supporters include ACEEE, AltEnergyMag.com, Antenna, B2 Group, Best SEOs, Best Web Design Agencies, CIOReview, Conference Guru, Crowd Reviews, Green Button Alliance, Homeenergy.org, HomeGrid Forum, Hometoys, Innovation & Tech Today, ISE Magazine, Internet of Things Consortium, KNXtoday, LonMark International, Market Publishers, oneM2M, OpenADR Alliance, Open Connectivity Foundation, PLMA, Predicting our Future, Smart Grid Today, Telco Professionals, TREIA, Utility Dive, Visibility Magazine, and Wi-Fi Alliance.
More information about the Smart Energy Summit is available at www.SES2018.com. To speak with an analyst or request specific research data, contact Julia Homier at Julia.homier@parksassociates.com or 972-996-0214.
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.
