Energy Utility Platforms: why the platform path wins by 2035

Across the world, electricity is changing fast. By the early 2030s, most utilities will look like one of two models: Pipes keep the grid working—the poles, wires, and substations. Platforms still value the grid, but they also use software and a friendly app to help families run big electric loads—like EVs, heat pumps, and home batteries—at the best times and prices.

What “Pipe” utilities can expect

Staying as a Pipe is safe and familiar. Your job is essential, and reliability matters. But the numbers are modest:

• Typical annual growth: 1–2%.

• Profit margin (EBITDA): around 12–15%.

• Most of the customer relationship happens in someone else’s app, so digital services remain small.

Large infrastructure will always be needed. Still, the extra value—smarter bills, helpful alerts, and new services—often goes to companies closer to the customer.

Why “Platform” utilities pull ahead

Platforms meet people where they are: on their phones. A Platform co-owns the app and the data, and uses them to lower bills and use cleaner energy. Results commonly look like this:

• Annual growth: 5–7% as EVs and heat pumps spread.

• Profit margin: 25–30% thanks to new digital services.

• 20–30% of revenue can come from these services: smart price plans, EV charging at off-peak times, home battery plans, and intelligent heating/cooling.

• When many homes join, flexible use can cut 5–10% of peak demand—something the grid can measure and reward.

Real-world examples help. Companies such as Octopus Energy, Enel X, Tesla Energy, and sonnen show how a friendly app plus clear savings can turn customers into long-term partners. In many countries, market rules and price signals from operators like National Grid ESO and exchanges such as EPEX SPOT support this change. EV adoption tracked by the IEA and BloombergNEF adds momentum every year.

What to track (in plain language)

• Speed: how quickly you launch new offers—weeks, not months.

• Participation: how many homes and devices you can tap when the grid needs help.

• Engagement: daily app opens and customer satisfaction.

• Switching cost: how much it takes to move customers to a smart plan—and how many stay.

• Extra value: the added revenue per customer from helpful add-ons (for example, EV charging plans or home battery programs).

A simple 12-month starter plan

You don’t need to build everything yourself. Focus on being useful, fast, and fair.

• Choose a proven core platform (don’t reinvent the wheel).

• Form a small digital team with clear weekly goals.

• Sign three partnerships: a home-energy app, an EV charging partner, and a home-battery program (providers like ChargePoint or Wallbox are common examples).

• Launch a smart price plan with guaranteed savings and plain-English terms.

• Run neighborhood pilots so people can see results close to home; publish what worked and what didn’t.

The human side

People don’t wake up wanting “demand response.” They want lower bills, comfort, and clarity. The winning utilities explain why prices change, show savings on every bill, and give customers control with simple choices. Clear benefits beat technical jargon every time.

The big picture

Choosing Platform doesn’t abandon the grid—it adds a new layer of value on top of it. Think a few moves ahead: earn trust now with easy wins (smart plans, timely tips, transparent savings). Over time, that trust becomes a durable relationship and a stronger business.