The Smart Grid meets the CE Industry breakfast, held on January 7 at CES 2010, brought together leaders in the industry and on the stage to discuss issues related to the pace of change for the smart grid roll-out and how consumers are a crucial piece to the successful adoption of the grid. When it comes to utilities, the deregulated world is different from the regulated one business needs are different. Energy companies in the deregulated world feel a stronger sense of urgency. They are competing for customers, even if that means helping them spend less on energy according to Patrick James, Director Smart Grid Technologies, TXU Energy. And they are constantly looking for ways to help consumers see the value of energy monitoring and participating in their smart grid initiatives. The theme of consumers and how they think about energy was prominent on the panel 70% of consumers with programmable thermostats dont use them even though they could save significant money. Any new device has to be incredibly easy, convenient, and interactive to keep consumers engaged, according to Patrick James and Will West, Chief Executive Officer, Control4.

The Smart Grid meets the CE Industry breakfast, held on January 7 at CES 2010, brought together leaders in the industry and on the stage to discuss issues related to the pace of change for the smart grid roll-out and how consumers are a crucial piece to the successful adoption of the grid. When it comes to utilities, the deregulated world is different from the regulated one business needs are different. Energy companies in the deregulated world feel a stronger sense of urgency. They are competing for customers, even if that means helping them spend less on energy according to Patrick James, Director Smart Grid Technologies, TXU Energy. And they are constantly looking for ways to help consumers see the value of energy monitoring and participating in their smart grid initiatives. The theme of consumers and how they think about energy was prominent on the panel 70% of consumers with programmable thermostats dont use them even though they could save significant money. Any new device has to be incredibly easy, convenient, and interactive to keep consumers engaged, according to Patrick James and Will West, Chief Executive Officer, Control4.