Parks Associates: 16% of Texas Broadband Households Own a Smart Energy Device

DALLAS, TX--(Marketwired - Feb 9, 2016) - 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, Green Button 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
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 seventh-annual Smart Energy Summit will take place February 22-24, 2016, at the Omni Hotel 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.ses2016.com.