More Than 57 Million Households Will Have Home Area Networks by 2020, Forecasts Pike Research

BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The uptake of home area networks (HANs) has been quite low to date, with adoption levels in fractions of a percent. The logical extension of smart meter deployments, HANs allow devices inside a home to communicate with the grid and access energy-saving applications. Now, a set of market drivers around energy efficiency and enabling technology is starting to coalesce around some common standards, helping to propel more aggressive levels of growth. According to a new report from Pike Research, a part of Navigant’s Energy Practice, the total number of households worldwide with HANs will reach 57.5 million by 2020.

“Inhibiting factors, including consumer indifference, the high cost of new gear, evolving standards, and tepid utility support, continue to dog the HAN market”

“Inhibiting factors, including consumer indifference, the high cost of new gear, evolving standards, and tepid utility support, continue to dog the HAN market,” says senior research analyst Neil Strother. “Nevertheless, the opportunity for consumers to save money on their energy bills will be a strong motivator, and HANs that can take advantage of new smart metering capabilities will offer them new ways to do that.”

The report forecasts that networked home energy management shipments will grow steadily through the rest of the decade, starting with worldwide volumes of nearly 18,000 in 2011 and growing to almost 4 million in 2020. North America will lead, followed by Western Europe, as government mandates accelerate the market, especially in areas where time-of-use pricing schemes are in place. The forecast also shows strong growth in Asia Pacific, where shipments will grow from less than 1,000 in 2011 to almost 800,000 in 2020. This growth is due, in part, to Japanese utility giant TEPCO, which is seeking bids for deploying approximately 17 million smart meters by 2019. According to the report, smart meter deployment will drive increased HAN volumes.

The report, “Home Area Networks”, examines the global market opportunity for HANs, exploring the drivers and inhibitors that are shaping the market along with major technology issues. The study also provides market forecasts through 2020 for HAN device shipments and associated revenue. Key vendor profiles, analysis of new market players, and case studies are included as well. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the Pike Research website.

About Pike Research

Pike Research, which joined Navigant’s global Energy Practice on July 1, 2012, provides in-depth analysis of global clean technology markets. The team’s research methodology combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research and demand assessment, and deep examination of technology trends to provide a comprehensive view of the Smart Energy, Smart Grid, Smart Transportation, Smart Industry, and Smart Buildings sectors. Additional information about Pike Research can be found at www.navigant.com/pikeresearch.

About Navigant

Navigant (NYSE: NCI) is a specialized, global expert services firm dedicated to assisting clients in creating and protecting value in the face of critical business risks and opportunities. Through senior level engagement with clients, Navigant professionals combine technical expertise in Disputes and Investigations, Economics, Financial Advisory and Management Consulting, with business pragmatism in the highly regulated Construction, Energy, Financial Services and Healthcare industries to support clients in addressing their most critical business needs. More information about Navigant can be found at www.navigant.com.

* The information contained in this press release concerning the report, “Home Area Networks,” is a summary and reflects Pike Research’s current expectations based on market data and trend analysis. Market predictions and expectations are inherently uncertain and actual results may differ materially from those contained in this press release or the report. Please refer to the full report for a complete understanding of the assumptions underlying the report’s conclusions and the methodologies used to create the report. Neither Pike Research nor Navigant undertakes any obligation to update any of the information contained in this press release or the report.