International research firm to host Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer on February 22-24 in Austin, Texas

Parks Associates today announced the topics and call for papers for Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer, February 22-24, 2016, at the Omni Hotel Downtown in Austin, Texas. The seventh-annual conference will address the expanding market for energy solutions and home controls and its impact on utilities, service providers, retailers, manufacturers, and consumers.

The Market for Smart Thermostats, new energy research from Parks Associates, finds smart thermostats are among the strongest categories of smart home devices, with more than 10% of U.S. broadband households 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.

“Our energy research shows U.S. consumers are acquiring energy solutions from a variety of channels—36% bought from a national or local retailer, but 11% acquired their smart thermostat from a broadband service provider and 13% acquired from a security dealer," said Tom Kerber, Director, Research, Home Controls & Energy, Parks Associates. “The diversity of devices in the connected home demands interoperability solutions so that utilities and other players in the energy market can leverage these devices for consumer-focused value-added services.”

Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer, with early sponsorship support from Affinegy, is accepting speaking submissions at http://www.parksassociates.com/ses-speaker. The event will feature industry perspectives on key topics impacting smart products and systems, energy services and partnerships, and the Internet of Things for the connected consumer. The 2015 summit featured keynotes from NRG Energy and SunPower Corp.

Topics for the 2016 summit include:

Electric Utilities and IoT

• Remaking the Business Models for Electric Utilities
• Integrating Smart Products into Utility Programs
• Expanding the Retail Energy Provider: Security, Warranty, Wireless Services
• Utilities and Consumers: Creating a New Relationship with Energy

Converging Ecosystems: Industries Impacting Utilities

• Solar Integration, Competition, and its Impact on IoT
• Electric Vehicles: Redefining Drivers as Energy Consumers
• Perfecting Services for the Smart Home
• Smart Home Products and Energy Services

Partnerships, Strategic Growth, Interoperability 

• Role of Smart Products in Demand Response
• Integrating Demand Side Programs into Grid Planning and Operations  
• Creating Consumer Engagement in EE: Smart Products and Services
• Standards and Interoperability: Integrating Energy with the Smart Home

More information about the Smart Energy Summit is available at www.SES2016.com. To speak with Tom Kerber or request specific research data, 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.