Parks Associates forecasts energy management networks will be in over 9 million U.S. households by 2014

The emerging market for energy management services, built on remote access and control via broadband, is creating new opportunities outside the utility industry for manufacturers and service providers looking to leverage consumer interest in energy savings, according to international research firm Parks Associates.

The firm's report Residential Energy Management: Forecasts for the Deployment of AMI and the Adoption of Energysaving Products and Services finds over 80% of U.S. consumers are interested in reducing expenditures on energy consumption and willing to pay for costsaving solutions. Costsaving products and services that generate consumer interest include programmable thermostats, energy monitors and systems enhanced with energymanagement capabilities, smart appliances, and energyefficient CE systems.

However, the amount consumers are willing to spend does not cover the costs of required systems, creating a need for innovative business models that will enable a new energy management service industry.

"Utilitybased home area networks (HANs) are only one of several options for these solutions and services to enter the consumer market," said Bill Ablondi, director, home systems research, Parks Associates. "By 2013, iREMs will outnumber utilitybased HANs. By 2014, the vast majority of the nine million U.S. households with an energy management system will have an iREM. Engaging consumers is critical to success in this market. Business strategies must be developed that comprehend the magnitude of consumer education and support required for offerings in this arena."

Forecasts for the Deployment of AMI and the Adoption of Energysaving Products and Services provides detailed forecasts for REM solutions. It features analysis of the market for solutions that work within HANs as well as those within iREM Nets. For more information, visit http://www.parksassociates.com or contact 972-490-1113, sales@parksassociates.com.

Parks Associates is hosting Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer on January 24-26, 2011, with keynotes from George Arnold, National Coordinator for Smart Grid Interoperability, National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce, and Andres Carvallo, EVP, Chief Strategy Officer, Grid Net. This event is the premier conference studying the market for residential energy management and smart grid technologies. www.smartenergysummit2011.com