Fifteen Percent of Texas Broadband Households Own a Smart Energy Device

DALLAS, TX--(Marketwired - Feb 11, 2015) - Fifteen percent of Texas broadband households own a smart energy device (such as a programmable thermostat, light bulb, power strip, outlet, or plug adapter capable of connecting to the Internet), compared to 10% of U.S. broadband households, according to Parks Associates. The Dallas-based market research firm will host the sixth-annual Smart Energy Summit next week in Austin.

"Texans are also more likely than broadband households nationwide to have switched to a more environmentally friendly electricity plan in the past 12 months," said Tom Kerber, Director of Home Controls and Energy Research, Parks Associates. "Retail energy providers have been successful in creating innovative programs to drive customer acquisition and adoption of variable rate structures, smart products, and renewable energy sources."

In the past 12 months, 8% of Texas broadband households switched to a plan with their current provider that charges different rates at different times of the day. Nationwide, 4% of broadband households switched plans for time-of-use (TOU) rates.

"Seventy percent of U.S. broadband households are interested in one or more home energy management features," Kerber said. "In Texas, the Smart Meter Texas portal enables energy providers across the state to address this need with numerous value-added services derived from energy data."

Texas companies participating in the Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer include:

• Austin Energy - Deborah Kimberly, VP, Customer Energy Solutions
• TXU Energy - Jennifer Pulliam, Sr. Director, TXU Solutions
• Reliant Energy - Scott Burns, Director of Innovation
• Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) - Paul Wattles, Sr. Analyst, Market Design & Development
• Direct Energy - Robbie Wright, VP, Digital & Innovation
• Wi-Fi Alliance - Edgar Figueroa, President and CEO
• Just Energy - Blake Lasuzzo, SVP
• Freescale - Sujata Neidig, Product Manager, Multimedia Applications Division
• Stream - Patrick James, Director of Innovation, Stream

The summit features more than 250 high-level executives from U.S. utilities, service providers, retailers, manufacturers, and technology companies. It also has keynotes from NRG Energy and SunPower Corp. and a special fireside chat with ecobee and SmartThings. Sponsors include Smart Utility Systems; Lowe's; Alarm.com; ecobee; Emerson; NRG; People Power Company; PlanetEcosystems; Southern California Edison; Tendril; Tyco; WeatherBug Home; WSI, the professional division of The Weather Company; EcoFactor; and WattzOn. The full agenda is available at http://www.parksassociates.com/events/smart-energy-summit/agenda.

360 View: Energy Management, Smart Home, and Utility Programs is a Parks Associates Consumer Analytics Study that features consumer segmentation based on a Q4 2014 survey of 10,000 U.S. broadband households, including 580 broadband households in Texas. The research analyzes adoption patterns for smart home devices that enable consumers to manage their home energy consumption and investigates key inhibitors to adoption, as well as opportunities for electricity providers to increase revenues.

Registration to the Smart Energy Summit is available at www.ses2015.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
Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer examines the expanding market for the smart home and the role of energy solutions within the Internet of Things, including connected devices, energy management, utility services, and home control platforms and services.

Smart Energy Summit addresses strategies for utilities, service providers, retailers, and manufacturers to expand and monetize their energy offerings by engaging consumers, developing new business models, and creating unique partnerships.

The summit agenda features thought leaders representing utilities, state and national regulators, telecom and security companies, retailers, and OEMs presenting on the state of the market and the emerging consumer and business opportunities.

The sixth-annual Smart Energy Summit will take place February 16-18, 2015, at the Four Seasons Resort in Austin, Texas. Follow the event on Twitter at @SmartEnergySmt and on the Smart Energy Insights Blog. For information on speaking, sponsoring, or attending Smart Energy Summit, visit www.ses2015.com.