Installed Base of ZigBee-Enabled Smart Energy Devices to Surpass 219 Million Units Worldwide by 2020

Updated

Installed Base of ZigBee-Enabled Smart Energy Devices to Surpass 219 Million Units Worldwide by 2020, Forecasts Navigant Research

BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- In the last few years, devices based on ZigBee, the wireless communications technology, have gained significant momentum in the energy sector. Some leading U.S. utilities have deployed ZigBee-enabled smart meters, and have encouraged customers to purchase home area network (HAN) devices that can connect to such smart meters for improved energy management. ZigBee smart meter deployments are taking hold in other countries, such as Australia and the United Kingdom, as well. According to a new report from Navigant Research, the worldwide installed base of ZigBee-enabled smart energy devices will grow from 39.5 million at the end of 2012 to 219.2 million devices by 2020.

"The forthcoming version of ZigBee, the Smart Energy Profile 2.0 software, is the first version to be Internet Protocol (IP)-based, allowing ZigBee devices to communicate with non-ZigBee devices, such as those using Wi-Fi or HomePlug," says Neil Strother, senior research analyst with Navigant Research. "While this opens up a new world for ZigBee, it poses risks as other home networking technologies contend for relevance in energy management."


In fact, most North American utilities that have deployed ZigBee radios in smart meters in recent years have yet to actually enable those radios. One reason is that few homes have HANs set up for the purposes of energy management and control, which the ZigBee energy software was designed to facilitate. Another reason, according to the report, is that utilities remain hesitant to become more active in providing products and services on the customer side of the meter. Consequently, the market for ZigBee-enabled energy products is at a crossroads.

The report, "ZigBee for Smart Energy", analyzes the global market opportunity for ZigBee's Smart Energy Profile, exploring key drivers and inhibitors shaping the market along with major technology issues. The report provides market forecasts through the end of the decade for shipments of ZigBee-enabled devices as well as for revenue from ZigBee modules and chips, segmented by region. Profiles of key industry players, analysis of regional trends, and a utility case study are also included. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the Navigant Research website.

About Navigant Research

Navigant Research, the dedicated research arm of Navigant, provides market research and benchmarking services for rapidly changing and often highly regulated industries. In the energy sector, Navigant Research focuses on in-depth analysis and reporting about 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 Utilities, Smart Transportation, Smart Industry, and Smart Buildings sectors. Additional information about Navigant Research can be found at www.navigantresearch.com.

About Navigant

Navigant (NYS: 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, "ZigBee for Smart Energy," is a summary and reflects Navigant 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 Navigant Research nor Navigant undertakes any obligation to update any of the information contained in this press release or the report.



Navigant Research
Richard Martin, +1-303-493-5483
richard.martin@navigant.com
or
Laverne Murach, +1-202-481-7336
laverne.murach@navigant.com

KEYWORDS: United States North America Colorado

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

The article Installed Base of ZigBee-Enabled Smart Energy Devices to Surpass 219 Million Units Worldwide by 2020, Forecasts Navigant Research originally appeared on Fool.com.

Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 - 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Advertisement