Utilities are moving forward with numerous pilots, testing new business models and new approaches to marketing, installation, and partnerships. This session at SES featuring executives from FP&L, OGE, Tendril, Westar Energy, and Wright – Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association discussed the lessons learned from these innovative efforts and highlights recent success stories in the industry. Top 10 takeaways from the session included:

1. Market adoption is moving from the innovator customer segment to early adopters. FPL has conducted HAN and smart thermostat trials and has 600,000 unique visitors to its site. The company is selling a tactile experience with the home where high design meets high-tech. FPL also positions the smart home as a way to renovate and redesign homes.
2. Utilities cannot be spectators in the battle for the home. Utilities need to grow consumer mindshare and create alliances and partnerships that bring value to customers.
3. The smart home can provide insights on engagement that can be used to deliver reliable DR and EE assets for the grid.
4. Several types of incentives have been successful; for example, guaranteed rates, line item credits, and free tech.
5. BYOT (Brink Your Own Thermostat) Model offers tremendous opportunity.
6. Lack of familiarity among consumers continues to challenge the industry. The Internet is the preferred method of learning about product offerings.
7. 64% of consumers trust service provider/home security solution providers.
8. Customer experience with the installation process is important.
9. Pilot programs are important to understand customer behavior and expectation. Data can be aggregated to provide additional value to the end user of energy. What is critical is knowing what to find out and how it provides value. Trials should be run like a business, including an exit plan. All data needs to provide a purpose.
10. Utilities need to have confidence in the product before recommending it to consumers and a mature way of evaluating platforms and forming strategic alliances. Reliability of the devices and the ability to control is of utmost importance

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