Sixteenth annual Smart Energy Summit research event features keynotes from NRG, Savant, Southern Company, and Renew Home

Parks Associates’ new research shows 42% of US internet households indicate an electricity provider/utility as their preferred provider to deliver an app to monitor their energy usage. The international research firm will host its 16th annual Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer, co-located at DISTRIBUTECH on March 25-26 in Dallas, TX, featuring keynotes from NRG, Savant, Southern Company, and Renew Home. Energy and smart home industry players will address how utilities can enhance customer engagement, optimize grid reliability, and drive adoption of energy management programs.

Parks Associates’ latest research study of 8,000 US internet households, Smarter Energy at Home: Intelligence, Coordination, Services, shows continued demand for information and products that help reduce energy usage at home. Study highlights:

  • 61% of households report electricity costs are too high. Across segments, consumers feel their electricity costs are too high.
  • 50% of consumers actively work to reduce energy consumption; 36% need help.
  • Saving energy is a top three reason smart home device owners coordinate their devices into “routines.”
  • Electricity providers struggle with customer satisfaction, with an NPS of -25.
  • Only 22% of smart thermostat owners currently participate in a demand response (DR) program.

“The huge and fast expansion of data centers for cloud computing and AI is driving unprecedented demand for electricity, putting pressure on grid stability and resource management. The residential consumer market presents a key opportunity to enhance load flexibility and demand-side management,” said Daniel Holcomb, Sr. Research Analyst, Parks Associates. “By leveraging smart home technologies, dynamic pricing models, and DR programs, utilities can shift and reduce peak energy consumption.”

Smart Energy Summit keynote speakers:

  • Will Dillon, Savant
  • Jeff Gleeson, Chief Product Officer, Renew Home
  • Robin Lanier, Managing Director, New Ventures, Southern Company
  • Jim Nye, Chief Product Officer, NRG Consumer

Featured sessions focus on DR participation, smart thermostats, and the future of home energy management: 

  • Smart Thermostats and Consumer Engagement: Enhancing Home Efficiency
  • Energy Providers' Role in Demand Response: Strategies for Grid Stability
  • The Future of Home Energy Management

These sessions highlight the increasing importance of consumer-driven energy management and the role of smart technologies in creating a more efficient, responsive grid. 

Session Speakers:

  • Kerri Carnes, Director, Customer to Grid Solutions, APS - Arizona Public Service
  • Christopher Freeman, Director, Connected Products Ecosystems, Rheem Manufacturing
  • Jonathan Hastings, Director of Innovation, Solution Architect, Home and Distribution Division, Schneider Electric
  • Lon Huber, SVP, Pricing and Customer Solutions, Duke Energy Corporation
  • Christopher LaPré, Head of Technology, Connectivity Standards Alliance
  • Jarrod Maddox, Director, Product Development & Energy Innovations, TXU Energy
  • Meghan McConomy, VP, Consumer Brand Strategy, NRG
  • David Oberholzer, General Manager, Resideo Grid Services, Resideo
  • Hrag Ohannessian, SVP, Global Sales, Home Automation, Security & Hospitality, Universal Electronics, Inc.
  • Lisa Scott, Senior Manager, ecobee
  • Gomathi Sadhasivan, VP, Energy Systems, DNV 
  • Paul Wezner, Chief Product and Customer Officer, Powerley

Event sponsors include Schneider Electric, SkyBell, Universal Electronics, Savant, Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), LG NOVA, NRG, and the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative. 

Registration is through the DISTRIBUTECH Website. To request data or an interview, contact mindi.sue@parksassociates.com, 972-490-1113.

About Smart Energy Summit

The 17th annual Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer addresses the rising demand for energy, accelerated by the growth of data centers and AI, and its impact on energy management, renewable adoption, and grid modernization. Organized by Parks Associates and co-located with DISTRIBUTECH, Smart Energy Summit brings together leaders from energy, smart home, and technology industries to explore strategies and partnerships critical to the energy transition. 

Smart Energy Summit takes place February 3-4, 2026, at the San Diego Convention Center. It will focus on integrating smart energy solutions, leveraging AI and IoT for home energy management, and tackling challenges in demand response and grid orchestration. Supported by Parks Associates’ consumer and industry research, the event provides key insights into market trends and the path forward for utilities, technology providers, and consumer brands.

Follow #SmartEnergy26 on Parks Associates’ LinkedIn. For information on speaking, sponsoring, or attending Smart Energy Summit, visit www.smartenergysmt.com.