Parks Associates to Present Energy Management and Consumer Research at Fifth-Annual Smart Energy Summit

DALLAS, TX--(Marketwired - Aug 27, 2013) - Parks Associates today announced the date and topics for the fifth-annual Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer, which will take place February 17-19, 2014, at the Four Seasons in Austin, Texas. The city has a history of innovative energy and smart-grid programs and is the next market for Google Fiber.

Parks Associates' energy management research finds consumer energy-saving activities have remained unchanged over the past year yet consumers show interest in utility programs with defined financial incentives. Over 40% of U.S. broadband households are very interested in a utility program that delivers a new thermostat with improved energy-efficiency capabilities.

"An improved U.S. economy has limited consumer interest in energy-saving activities, but there are areas where utilities, service providers, manufacturers, and retailers can open up new service opportunities," said Stuart Sikes, president, Parks Associates. "Smart Energy Summit is the premier executive conference to discuss new business strategies, explore partnership opportunities, and analyze the viability of innovations and new solutions within the context of the connected home."

"Consumers are reluctant to adopt new or novel energy programs without incentives clearly defined," said Tom Kerber, Director, Research, Home Controls & Energy, Parks Associates. "Fewer than one-fifth of U.S. consumers would choose a variable rate plan over a fixed rate plan in the absence of these additional incentives. At Smart Energy Summit, we will discuss the incentives that resonate with consumers."

Topics:

Utility strategies: innovative DR and variable pricing programs
Energy engagement: getting consumers interested in energy management
Standards and interoperability: solutions that bring it all together
Partnerships and new business opportunities for service providers, utilities, manufacturers, and retailers 
Evolution of energy markets
The dying utility business model
New business models and capabilities for home controls
Big data and analytics
Expanding energy management solutions through connected appliances and thermostats
Consumer engagement methods and adoption success stories for the smart home

Early sponsors are PlanetEcosystems and Qualcomm. Parks Associates is accepting speaker submissions for the 2014 event. Visit http://www.ses2014.com or contact 972-490-1113, sales@parksassociates.com for information. Media can register at http://www.parksassociates.com/ses-presspass.

About Smart Energy Summit

Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer examines the expanding market for energy solutions and home controls and its impact on utilities, service providers, retailers, manufacturers, and consumers. www.smartenergysummit2014.com