Energy management systems are entering the market through retailers, service providers, and utilities. The opportunities for these channels are massive and include generating reoccurring revenues, reducing customer attrition, offering value-added services, and engaging the consumer in new ways with energy management solutions.
New partner channels to deliver energy management through huge market reach: security services, broadband, telephone, television services and move products to market quickly: contractors and dealers that provide home automation or HVAC maintenance. The $4 billion in smart grid stimulus helped spawn many new start-up companies that view energy management with a fresh perspective.
Partnerships can reinforce messaging, engage consumers, and enhance offerings, ultimately expanding adoption. Given that wide deployment of energy management solutions is a shared goal of utilities, retailers, and service providers, the opportunity for partnership is evident. Utilities have a unique position in this equation. Broadband service providers are a good partner for utilities because of the existing relationship with the home owner and the mass penetration of broadband services in U.S. households. Retail is developing into an important channel, with abundant partnership opportunities.
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