Smart Energy Insights

New business models continue to emerge as connected home products and solutions become more integrated into the home automation and energy management markets. Parks Associates research shows that many consumers do not understand or want recurring fees attached to their smart home technology; however, utilities and platform manufacturers require fees for services rendered. It is in this space where creative monetization methods are required to keep a balance between consumer adopt ...read more

While demand response is typically considered a utility-only type of program, the expanding market for connected home devices prompts both utility companies and smart home technology manufacturers to consider demand response solutions for connected device usage. Parks Associates research shows that offering demand response incentive programs to consumers can be instrumental in reducing energy use and adding economic value to energy utilities. Now it is time for technology compani ...read more

Among energy generation methods, electrical energy is in decline, with consumers beginning to favor more energy efficient and "green" methods like solar and wind power. In fact, recent Parks Associates research indicates that 60% of US households interested in purchasing a renewable power generator plan to purchase solar panels, the most popular option among renewable-energy power generators.

How will this increased adoption affect the traditional business models so many utilit ...read more

Data gathered from residential applications like energy management can be used to collect a wide range of information about consumers using smart meters in their homes. However, what to do with the collected data has become an issue for utilities. Does big data lead simply to more informed advertising, or will it be used to provide a superior and differentiating consumer experience?

In a session panel at the 2014 Smart Energy Summit in Austin, company representatives from Bidge ...read more

Smart meters have opened up new opportunities for energy efficiency.Many third parties are now using data analytics to control the operation of a device, making smart decisions on the owner’s behalf to reduce waste, energy, and cost. Others are using the data to provide feedback to the homeowner with the intent to influence behavior.

While the primary selling features for many smart home products and systems may not be energy related, new products have expanded energy managemen ...read more

Parks Associates announced new research finding at the 2014 Smart Energy Summit in Austin this week. The results of a new consumer satisfaction survey report that many consumers are nervous about switching to a variable rate or time-of-use (TOU) energy program, thinking that their energy bills will increase after doing so. However, once a household adapts to off-peak consumption patterns, their bills could actually decrease.

Additionally, Parks Associates research indicates tha ...read more

Matthew Smith, Senior Director of Utility Solutions at Silver Spring Networks, responds to this industry question: "What do you think is the most challenging issue for your company as it relates to the residential energy management market?"

One challenge Silver Spring Networks is investing in is to help our utility customers leverage the strong work being done in the residential energy management sector by various manufacturers. Today, nearly all mass-market Demand Response ...read more

Dave Oberholzer, Director of Energy Products and Business Development at Earth Networks - Weatherbug, responds to this industry question: "What do you think is the most challenging issue for your company as it relates to the residential energy management market?"

The most challenging issue is customer adoption, and this has two elements to it:

1. General consumer adoption of the Internet of Things, and connected thermostats specifically.

2. Consumer acceptance of the ben ...read more