International research firm Parks Associates today announced the preliminary agenda and current speakers, sponsors, and advisory board for the Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer. This conference, hosted in cooperation with Austin Energy on January 25-27 at the Hyatt Regency in Austin, Tex., focuses on opportunities in residential energy management and the challenges of bringing Smart Grid technologies to U.S. households.

Sessions include the latest consumer research from Parks Associates' landmark Residential Energy Management service, which surveys both consumers and utilities on attitudes and trends in this growing industry. Early sponsors for Smart Energy Summit include Direct Energy, Exceptional Innovation, HAI, iControl Networks, and OpenPeak. Event supporters include AltEnergyMag, CABA, Energy Priorities, Home Toys, SmartGrid Today, VB/Research, and WinSmartGrid.

"U.S. utilities plan to have about 50 million AMI-capable meters installed within the next 4-5 years," said Bill Ablondi, director, home systems research, Parks Associates. "The opportunities in developing and deploying residential energy solutions are enormous, and the Smart Energy Summit will provide attendees with the information necessary to navigate this new and growing business area."

From the article, "Smart Energy Summit to focus on in-home energy management and control solutions"