This January 2021 report by Val Jensen of consulting giant ICF is subtitled “How a utility CEO remakes her business to survive—and even thrive—into the future.” Instead of providing a future model based on incremental improvement of past practices, this paper provides a fresh approach based on what the future consumer is likely to need in the coming years—and how these needs could be monetized. A two-tier structure involving network capabilities and energy-as-a-service provides a utility with a more responsive, resilient and consumer-friendly business model, one better structured to respond to changing future demands. Illustrations of how this model would work in practice are provided.
Key words: market sizing, connected home, connected/ EV vehicles, energy management, home assistants, utilities, smart grid, smart cities