70% of Surveyed Utilities are Planning
Home Energy Management Based 110 phone interviews with utility project managers, ON World’s recently published report reveals utilities’ residential demand response plans, preferred products and services, HAN technologies, distribution channels, opinion on third party service providers, and more. SAN DIEGO, CA, April 27, 2011— As utilities gear up to rollout tens of millions of smart meters over the next decade, residential energy management ranks high on the list of priorities, according to a recently completed phone survey by ON World. In fact, 7 out of 10 utilities are planning in-home energy management solutions that integrate with their customers’ Home Area Networks (HANs). “Multi-billion dollar AMI initiatives, the availability of low power sensor network technologies, and standards such as ZigBee Smart Energy have ushered in a wave of residential energy management innovations,” says Mareca Hatler, ON World’s research director. “Utilities are quickly moving beyond the pilot testing phase and seeking new partners, products, and services.” ON World identified hundreds of current Home Area Network pilots or programs that feature dynamic pricing, energy Web portals, smart appliances, and/or in-home energy management systems. Some utilities such as British Gas, San Diego Gas & Electric, OG&E and the City of Leesburg are giving customers with smart meters access to their energy consumption that updates hourly or more frequently. AEP Ohio and NV Energy will soon be distributing tens of thousands of Control4’s advanced energy management systems. Some of ON World’s research findings include the following:
Although consumers have expressed high levels of interest in energy management products and services, utilities believe that customer education and acceptance is their biggest challenge. Utility opinions on the best strategies for reaching the consumer, pricing models, and the utility’s responsibilities vary for cooperatives, municipals, and investor owned utilities; however, the similarities are growing. About ON World: Media contact:
Back to News
|