Texas companies including Austin Energy, Reliant/NRG, and ERCOT discussintegration of IoT technologies with existing utility programs at Smart Energy Summit

Sixteen percent of broadband households in Texas own a smart energy device, which could include smart thermostats, light bulbs, power strips, outlets, and plugs/adapters, compared to 12% of all U.S. broadband households,according to Parks Associates. The Dallas-based market research firm will share new research on the growth of energy programs, successful regional and national strategies, and ways for companies to integrate connected devices and energy management programs at Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer, February 22-24, 2016, in Austin.

“Texans are slightly ahead of the curve when it comes to buying smart energy devices,” said Stuart Sikes, President, Parks Associates. “Texas companies including Austin Energy and Reliant have been strong leaders in driving consumer awareness of energy programs and products – 36% of Texas broadband households are familiar with energy monitoring and management products, compared to 28% nationwide. This innovative market has made Texas an excellent location for the Smart Energy Summit for seven years.”

In the past year, 12% of Texas broadband households purchased or received a smart energy device. Nationwide, 9% of broadband households purchased these devices over the same period. Nationally, interest in these products is starting to align with the Lone Star State – in Texas and the U.S., 41% of broadband households plan to purchase a smart energy device in the next 12 months.

“One-third of U.S. broadband households are interested in one or more home energy management features, and 19% of U.S. broadband households own a smart home product, with thermostats and lighting leading the way,” Sikes said. “Much of the current growth nationwide comes as a result of pilots and innovations tested in Texas, and in 2016, we will see new businesses and partnerships develop between energy providers and smart home solution providers as the convergence of energy management, the smart home, and distributed generation begins to offer real value to consumers.”

William Clayton, Vice President of Customer Care Operations at Texas-based Reliant, NRG, will deliver the keynote “Making Energy Easy and Engaging for Customers” at the Smart Energy Summit on Tuesday, February 23. Other keynote speakers are Seth Frader-Thompson, President,EnergyHub, and Paul Campbell, VP Innovation / Head of Silicon Valley Innovation Center,Schneider Electric.

Additional Texas-based companies participating in the summit include:

• Austin Energy - Karen Poff, Project Manager
• CPS Energy - Rick Luna, Sr. Manager, Products and Services
• Daikin, U.S. - Ian Herrod, Executive Vice President
• Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) - Paul Wattles, Sr. Analyst, Market Design & Development
• Reliant, NRG - Corey Chao, Innovation Manager, Connected Home

Conference 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, 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.com or 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.