Smart Energy Summit addresses growth in energy management, crossover with smart home solutions, and impact on grid

Parks Associates research shows 23% of US broadband households are likely to buy a smart thermostat in 2019, which shows purchase intentions remain strong although many households still consider this product too expensive. The firm will host the eleventh annual Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer, February 17-19, 2020, at the Omni Austin Downtown in Austin, Texas, to examine opportunities for energy providers to convert intentions to actual purchases, the role of DIY, and innovations that could drive broader consumer adoption of energy management.

At Smart Energy Summit, more than 300 industry leaders from utilities, service providers, manufacturers, and technology companies will participate in panel discussions about the impact of direct consumer participation in energy markets and strategies to increase consumer engagement. Early event sponsors are FLO, Rapid Response Monitoring, Trusource Labs, Alarm.com, Austin Energy, Inspire, and Sprosty Network.

  

“The enthusiasm for this product comes despite most households believing that smart thermostats are not affordable, so the industry has a challenge in driving actual adoption past 11-13% of US broadband households,” said Elizabeth Parks, President, Parks Associates. “Utilities and other energy players are experimenting with subsidized offers and product-as-a-service options to expand adoption. At Smart Energy Summit, we will analyze different strategies, highlight factors for success, and discuss the features that can drive greater consumer engagement.”

Parks Associates research finds consumers bought roughly 5.8 million smart thermostats in 2018, generating $843 million in revenues. For future purchases, voice control and compatibility with smart speakers are important selling factors. Among households planning to buy a smart thermostat that also own a smart speaker, more than 70% consider it important that the smart thermostat they buy is compatible with their smart speaker.

Smart Energy Summit will feature the following topics:

Technology Driving New Opportunities

  • 5G Implementation: Impact on Utilities and Consumers
  • DERMS: Moving Beyond Legacy Programs
  • Energy Data and the Smart Home: Enhancing the Customer Relationship
  • Data Analytics for Grid Planning and Load Forecasting
  • Clean Energy: Energy Transformation Trends
  • Shifting Models: Defining the Utility of the Future


Consumer Engagement: Smart Home, Demand Response, and Behavior

  • Energy Management in the Home: Driving Behavior Changes
  • Solar, EVs, and Storage: Addressing Barriers to Adoption
  • Utility Marketplaces: Building Customer Relationships
  • Consumers and Distributed Energy Resources (DERS): Impact on the Grid
  • Community Solar: Smart Energy and Sustainable Home Development
  • Home Services Revenue Opportunities
  • Effective Approaches to Demand Response: Next Stage of Engagement
  • Energy Management Platforms: Adding Value


Parks Associates is currently accepting submissions to speak at www.ses2020.com. To schedule an interview or to request data, contact Sherrelle Lewis sherrelle.lewis@parksassociates.com, 972.996.0214.

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.