The Residential Energy Management Ecosystem

Numerous firms are developing solutions for both utilities and consumers to monitor, manage, and control their electricity consumption. Companies developing solutions for the residential market represent only one group within the rapidly expanding universe of participants in the residential energy management ecosystem.

The basic structure of the ecosystem has three primary levels:

-- Technology Enablers: firms developing the building blocks of solutions from control communication technologies to software platforms on which communication service providers can provide applications over the top of their current offerings.

-- Products and Systems: companies integrating these building blocks with their own technologies to offer solutions designed to take advantage of the smart grid capabilities.

-- Distribution Channels: organizations that touch the consumer, or perhaps more specifically, have a billing relationship with the consumer.

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Consumers growing more aware of Energy Consumption

One key finding from Parks Associates energy research is that consumers are growing more aware about their energy consumption. Eighty percent of U.S. households are interested in learning more about how to cut their energy costs (although this interest does not equal a desire or need to learn about smart grids, which will be discussed later). Over one-half already have a programmable thermostat, meaning the majority of U.S. households have at least one energy-saving device in their home.

If current utility plans come to full fruition, U.S. households will soon have many more energy-saving options through AMI (advanced metering infrastructure) deployments. Utilities have deployed over 13 million smart meters, with plans to install 50 million more over the next five years. Predictably, other firms are eyeing this space for new market opportunities, hoping to build off this new bedrock technology and create more avenues for service and product opportunities in the home.

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Smart grid announcements signal next stage in smart energy projects and smart appliances

The recent lull in smart meter deployments and smart grid projects has come to an end with last Tuesday’s announcement from the Obama administration. The Department of Energy (DOE) announced over $3 billion in funding for smart grid projects, which will be matched by private-sector funding to push the total amount of investment in smart grid project over $8 billion.

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