By Jesse Berst

 

From the beginning, the biggest question about home energy management has been "who is going to pay for the equipment?" Some are betting that utilities will subsidize the gear, as will happen when NV Energy rolls out its demand response program. Others think they can make their devices so appealing that consumers will buy them on their own. UK-based AlertMe is about to test the latter scenario, in partnership with Lowe's, the big home improvement chain.

 

I've seen the AlertMe gear and it is sleek and sexy. It also does more than just energy management. Note that that they are pitching it as "smart home" not "smart grid." But smart thermostats are a big piece of the offering... and those don't create value for the customer unless the utility is on board.

 

At a glance:

·         AlertMe, a UK-based smart home technology company, announced a commercial partnership with Lowe’s, the second largest home improvement company in the world

 

·         AlertMe offers partners a smart home platform that allows consumers to monitor, manage, and control a wide range of devices in the home wirelessly and remotely

 

·         Based on AlertMe’s platform and home hub, Lowe's will deliver a cloud-based home management system for its new Iris service in North America

 

·         The service will give customers the ability to control and interact with their home from anywhere using their smartphone or computer

 

·         Lowe's will start with energy and home management apps such as  thermostats, smart plugs, lighting, door locks and motion sensors but plans to extend it to home appliances, vehicles and more

 

·         The Iris service will be introduced in the second quarter of 2012 in Lowe's stores and online

 

Use the Comment form below to tell us what you think will come first - the utility subsidy "chicken" or the retail sales "egg."

 

Jesse Berst is the founder and chief analyst of Smart Grid News.com. He consults to smart grid companies seeking market entry advice and M&A advisory. A frequent keynoter at industry events in the US and abroad, he also serves on the Advisory Council of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Energy & Environment directorate.

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