Smart grid rollouts continue as utilities seek to deepen relationships with their customers. Maximizing the value of the smart grid depends in part on a better understanding of consumer attitudes and behaviors.

• What do consumers see as the core benefits of smart meters and the smart grid?

• How have U.S. consumer attitudes about smart meters and the smart grid changed in the last year?

• How receptive are consumers to seeing their utilities in the role of trusted energy advisors?

Consumers see better information, more choice and more control as key benefits of the smart grid. As smart meters promote energy-aware behaviors--39 percent of those who have had smart meters for over 6 months monitor their energy use more than once a month—utilities have an opportunity to deepen relationships with their customers: Seventy percent of smart-meter consumers express interest in receiving expert energy advice and two thirds of those see their utility as the preferred source of that advice.

In July 2011 Green Research designed and fielded a survey to U.S. consumers in regions where smart meters have been deployed. We obtained responses from 1003 adults in the following states: California, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Texas. The geographic distribution of the respondents is representative of the relative population of the states. Respondents were screened to ensure they met the following criteria:

• At least 18 years old

• Have a smart meter installed in their home

• Pay the electric bill in their home

Respondents are members of a market research panel maintained by a leading provider and participate in a point-based incentive program for completing surveys.

A similar survey was conducted in August 2010, allowing trending of certain questions.