As smart home systems become more interconnected and reliant on continuous connectivity, power management is emerging as a larger area of focus for integrators serving luxury and upper-tier residential projects.
According to organizers of CEDIA Expo/Commercial Integrator Expo (CIX), topics including power conditioning, backup power, energy monitoring, EV integration, and Power over Ethernet (PoE) infrastructure are expected to receive increased attention at the 2026 event, scheduled for Sept. 1-4 in Denver.
Show organizers say modern residential projects increasingly require collaboration among systems integrators, electricians, HVAC contractors, and energy professionals to ensure home technology systems operate reliably and efficiently. These projects often involve integrating power management strategies with lighting, shading, networking, security, entertainment, solar, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging systems.
“The assumption of power is taken for granted,” said Jason McGraw, vice president and show director for CEDIA Expo/CIX, in a statement. “Systems integration professionals take nothing for granted but instead look at home systems comprehensively and holistically to ensure the best outcomes in terms of system performance, experiences delivered and efficiencies gained.”
Manufacturers Highlight Power and Energy Technologies
Among the exhibitors expected to showcase power-related technologies at the event are companies focused on power conditioning, surge protection, energy management, backup power infrastructure, and outdoor power solutions.
Featured exhibitors include Torus Power, which specializes in toroidal isolation transformers for AV and control systems; SurgeX, known for surge protection and power conditioning products; Shelly, which offers smart energy monitoring and load management solutions; and Tycon Systems, a new exhibitor focused on PoE infrastructure. Outdoor heating manufacturer Infratech is also expected to highlight power-related solutions for outdoor living spaces.
Expo Education Addresses Energy Management Challenges
Power and energy management will also be addressed through several educational sessions during the event. Planned sessions include a Smart Stage presentation titled “Energy Management: Why Energy is the Real Issue Behind Smart Home System Issues,” which will examine topics such as power conditioning, battery storage, and intelligent load management.
Additional education sessions will explore power considerations in lighting systems and EV integration, including vehicle-to-load (V2L) technology that enables electric vehicles to serve as backup power sources for homes.
McGraw said the increasing complexity of connected home environments has made power infrastructure a foundational component of overall system performance.
“Every element of the system — especially power — needs to work holistically together to deliver the experience,” he said. “Homeowner experiences are contingent on whether power to the Wi-Fi router is dropping out; whether power to the amp is clean; whether networked exercise equipment is continually rebooting; whether garage doors and electric locks operate; and whether webcams are on or off.”
CEDIA Expo/CIX 2026 will take place Sept. 1-4 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver.