Smart Energy Insights

The smart home market can be described using two axes: control of the smart home system and monetization of the smart home.

The vertical axis describes the entity which controls the smart home system, how it is installed, what products, algorithms, apps, and user interface or interfaces are used. At the lower end of the vertical axis, the end user makes all of the decisions. Consumers get what they want, how they want it. The consumer chooses what products to purchase, when they are ...read more

Smart home product and service providers are changing in many ways. Smart home controllers and smart home platforms are adding more networks, more intelligence, more data analytics, and more value-added services.

Smart home service providers currently control nearly every aspect of their offerings. Consumers can choose their service provider, but the service provider chooses everything else. The service provider determines what products work with the platform, what algorithms ...read more

Interoperability has become a topic with renewed interest as application layer standards enter the mix. New network layer protocols are competing for a slice of the Internet of Things market.In the energy space, different groups have worked on a method to communicate demand response event data and energy pricing, as well as data that enables participation in energy markets.

At Smart Energy Summit, the session “Interoperability, Integration, and Energy Management” discussed data and ...read more

The smart home has reached the tipping point. 19% of broadband households own a product that can be monitored or controlled with a smartphone, tablet, or computer. While lights, locks, thermostats, and networked cameras have been the leading categories of connected products for many years, the breadth of connected products is also growing. New categories, such as door bells and sprinkler controls, are entering the market in increasing numbers.

The security channel remains the leading ...read more

Top 5 Takeaways – Consumer Value Propositions of Smart Home Systems

The core value propositions for smart home systems are safety and security, followed by energy management services. At Smart Energy Summit last February, speakers on the session “Role of Energy Management in Smart Home Solutions” discussed the opportunities associated with incorporating energy management solutions into the smart home as well as challenges in creating value successful propositions and developing ...read more

Smart home systems providers vary in their strategies to provide home energy management solutions. At Smart Energy Summit, speakers on the session “Integrating Comprehensive Energy Management Solutions into Smart Home Systems” focused on the perceived value of services for home energy management solutions, as well as benefits, challenges, and future strategies in integrating energy information with smart home solutions. Participants include:

• Ramon Alvarez, Senior Director,
...read more

Solar technology installed behind the meter has implications for utilities, because excess energy flows back into the grid. Utility-scale solar must be managed as an asset in energy markets. Wherever solar exists on the grid, it has an impact on utility Demand Response (DR) and Energy Efficency (EE) initiatives.

Smart Energy Summit featured executives from Vivint Solar, Austin Energy, Silver Spring Networks, SunPower Corporation, and Enphase addressing the state of the solar market and ...read more

Distributed generation and storage technology is driving cost reductions for solar technology, while tax incentives and third-party financing have made installation even more affordable. Retail parity, the point that the installed cost of solar is less than the retail price of electricity, is here in different regions of the country, and is nearly here in the remaining areas.

Batteries have traditionally been too expensive for widespread installation, but the price curve for battery ...read more