Media Advisory - Almost a Half of Canadians Plan to Buy a "Smart Appliance" within the Next Five Years - New Consumer Research to be Released at the SmartGrid Canada 2012 Conference

TORONTO, Oct. 11, 2012 /CNW/ - Almost a half of Canadians expect to own a smart appliance within the next three to five years, according to new research conducted by SmartGrid Canada in partnership with Ontario's Independent Electricity System Operator.  Forty-five per cent of respondents to a cross-Canada online survey indicated that they had either already purchased or intend to purchase a smart appliance that can be turned on or off remotely using digital technologies.

This finding will be released as part of a broader study that looks at Canadians' awareness and perceptions of smart grid technologies at the SmartGrid Canada conference to be held at the MaRS Discovery District in Toronto on October 15 and 16.  Other highlights from the conference include:

• A diverse range of speakers bringing a broad spectrum of perspectives on the progress of smart grids in Canada and around the world, such as :
• Ontario Minister of Energy, the  Honourable Chris Bentley
• Bob Shapard, Chairman of the GridWise Alliance
• Paul Murphy, President and CEO of the Independent Electricity System Operator
• Michael Valocchi, Global Energy and Utilities Industry Leader atIBM
• Greg Reimer, Executive Vice-President of BC Hydro's Transmission and Distribution
• Greg Jamieson, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the University of Toronto
• Brian Bentz , President and CEO of PowerStream
• Eric Deschenes, Vice President at Schneider Electric
• Dr. Ron Dembo, CEO of Zerofootprint
• The release of the Canadian Smart Grid Standards Roadmap by the Standards Council of Canada
• Business-to-business matchmaking between leading Canadian companies and a visiting delegation of utility executives from Brazil.

The one and a half day conference starts at 1:00 p.m. on October 15 and will be held at the MaRS Discovery Centre in Toronto.  Experts on a wide range of smart grid issues such as consumer perceptions, skills development, electric vehicles, and smart home technologies will be available for interview on request.  A full program is available at www.sgcanada.org/program.

SOURCE: SmartGrid Canada

or to obtain credentials for the event, please contact:
Alex Bettencourt
Managing Director
SmartGrid Canada
[phone]
[email protected]