As the REM market expands beyond counting megawatts to include home enhancements, controls, and other connected-home offerings, the utility-based HAN (home area network) ecosystem has expanded accordingly. Several communication standards groups initiated collaborations, including ZigBee, HomePlug, and Wi-Fi as well as the HomeGrid Forum and the Z-Wave Alliance, in order to increase integration opportunities and choices for manufacturers, utilities, and consumers.
Several major companies (such as ADT, GE, Verizon, AT&T, and Motorola Mobility) have entered the REM market, which will have tremendous beneficial impact on consumer education and early adoption. These efforts should be highly successful at generating interest, given the strong consumer demand for energy-saving solutions.
A variety of factors is driving consumer interest in energy-related solutions. We have already identified cost savings and enhancements to lifestyle and home value as contributing to early adoption of energy-related solutions. Aligning energy solutions with the prevalent anytime/anywhere expectations that come with adoption of smartphones and tablets/iPads is the next big step in expanding interest in REM.
