Agrion

The Smart Home: Applications for Home Energy Management

Wednesday, September 29 2010, 8:30 - 11:30am

Smart Grid | Energies renouvelables et gestion de l'énergie

In this seminar we address the developing market of home energy management systems and solutions. Home energy management takes varied forms, from adding energy efficiency upgrades and energy monitoring software to home appliances and electronics, to integrating software applications on top of the home energy system. On the utility-side, these "smart" applications exist to manage/monitor smart meters deployed in homes. We address herein the spectrum of new applications, from end-to-end solutions to point solution software and hardware.

After assessing these applications and varying strategies/models for market entry, we ask: is the goal of these products a cut-and-dry reduction in home energy consumption or the more unquantifiable goal of consumer education of home energy habits, and, does the latter hold value in itself? What is the long-term impact of the former vs. the latter? Can they be mutually-exclusive? And lastly, should control of such applications be consumer-oriented or utility-oriented?

8:30am Reception, Networking and Continental Breakfast

9:00am Panel Discussion Begins

1. Applications: (Utility- Independent) Software and Network Systems

Web interfaces/online dashboards etc.
Cloud computing networks
Mobile applications
Smart controls

2. Applications: Smart Meter Management

Home Area Networks (HANS): as demand-side management for load-shedding; as communication devices
"Softgrid“ layer for smart meters (MDM systems)

3. Applications: Energy Efficient Electronics and Appliances

Power-saving devices (smart plugs)
Power measuring devices
Automated and connected appliances (refrigerator, lighting, etc.)

4. How are these applications being presented into the market?

Piloting technologies via Utilities: where has this occurred? Has it been successful (too early to tell?).
Direct to consumer, to retailers
Coupled with other products/services (energy auditors, home security, PV installers, home builders, etc.)

5. Consumer Behavior

Aligning consumers‘ values with home energy management
Hands-off applications vs. interactive applications
Who are the early adopters and how to attract them?
Does Knowledge Spur Change?: The impact of educative/monitoring applications vs. energy reducing applications

6. The Cost Factor

What is the price range for such applications?
What is the ROI?
Strategies for cost-reduction
Impact of government stimulus and initiatives

7. Intra and Inter Industry Partnerships and Collaboration

Start-up companies and large electronics and software companies: in competition? in collaboration?
Partnerships with telecom, broadband providers, home security companies: Who is linking arms with who? What does this look like?
Touch points between utilities, manufacturers, installers, and service providers

10:30am End of Panel Discussion: Q&A, Networking

11:30am End of Conference

Speakers:

OPOWER, Nadeem Sheikh, Director, Client Solutions

Enphase Energy, Bill Rossi, CMO

iControl Networks, Letha McLaren, VP Energy Products

Control4, Eric Smith, Chief Evangelist

4Home, Jim Hunter, Founder and CTO

Moderator:

PRTM, Tom Solazzo, Director

Meet the Panel

Download the Agenda

Location: Garden Court Hotel @ 520 Cowper St. in Palo Alto, CA. Room: Grove III.

Driving directions: From 101 (North or South): Exit University Avenue, go west. Make a left onto Cowper Street. Hotel is on the right-hand side in first block. From 280 (North or South): Exit Sand Hill Road, head east. Turn right onto Arboretum Road. Make a left onto Palm, which turns into University Avenue. Turn right onto Cowper Street. Hotel is on the right side in first block.

Public Transit: Take Caltrain to the Palo Alto stop, upon leaving the train station follow University Avenue 0.4 miles (6 blocks) to Cowper St, turn right. The Garden Court is half a block down on the right hand side.