Raftelis assists these municipal energy utilities with cost-of-service analysis and rate design, infrastructure and capital investment planning, strategic plan facilitation and development, operational performance assessments, organizational and staffing design, and communication and engagement plans.
There has never been a more critical time for electric and natural gas utilities to remain current with financial planning, understand the cost of service, and stay up to date with the latest rate designs. Infrastructure needs, environmental regulations, changing power markets, and economic development initiatives are just a few of the drivers that necessitate consideration of numerous changes in utility ratemaking. At Raftelis, our cost of service and rate design methodology begins with understanding your strategic objectives. We combine a depth of knowledge in rate making with the financial acumen needed to create a sound financial plan for the utility, addressing the equity and other considerations of customers and stakeholders.
For electric and natural gas utilities, the need to invest in new assets, replace existing infrastructure, and perform other capital projects can be never-ending. Modernizing generation, expanding the distribution system, implementing the latest technology, and remaining current with facility needs all create demands for capital investment. Despite its importance, utilities often lack the processes, structure, and technology required to ensure adequate capital planning and delivery. Raftelis can help your organization with this critical segment of the business. Our consultants understand asset management and replacement, as well as how infrastructure needs impact cash and financing requirements.
A well-crafted strategic plan considers and incorporates the financial, operating, and regulatory considerations of the utility into a clear set of goals and objectives to be achieved over a defined timeframe. To be effective, the strategic plan should create and communicate a clear vision for the utility’s leaders, workforce, as well as its customers and stakeholders who depend on it for their electricity and natural gas services. In support of your strategic planning initiative, Raftelis can conduct assessments of key planning topics, including environmental regulation, power and gas supply, workforce development, and other relevant considerations.
Electric and natural gas utilities are continually challenged to improve operating performance across the organization while limiting cost impacts to customers. At Raftelis, we have a broad understanding of utility operations and the industry best practices that your organization needs to remain competitive in a fast-changing environment. Our experts apply proven methodologies to assess performance and identify opportunities for improvement through process redesign, procedure development, technology modernization, and organizational realignment.
Raftelis can help you design and implement an organization that balances the operating capabilities and skills required with the demands for cost management and overall efficiency. Our organization and staffing design services support this need with strategic planning, organizational assessment, and optimization. Functioning better, more efficiently, and more effectively takes vision, direction, values, goals, and commitment from every employee at every level.
Raftelis collaborates with electricity and natural gas utility clients to develop customized communication and engagement plans that foster understanding and support for changes the public may encounter. With the numerous challenges facing municipal electric and natural gas utilities, it is crucial to communicate the value of the services being provided effectively. Now, more than ever, meaningful, deliberate, and strategic communication efforts can make the difference.
For more information on how we can help your utility, contact Steve Courtney at scourtney@raftelis.com.
Smart meter deployment represents one of the most significant infrastructure investments in the electric utility sector over the last two decades. Adoption rates have reached critical mass, and the technology is now fundamentally reshaping the utility landscape.
The introduction of electric vehicles introduces substantial increases in electrical loads and introduces variability in load profiles. The diversity of EV chargers further compounds these load increases and fluctuations. Consequently, managing the impact of EV charging on the grid becomes paramount. Electric utilities must strategically evaluate infrastructure enhancements, load management tactics, and rate structures to effectively accommodate these evolving demands.
In today’s electric utility industry, stability is replaced by a landscape defined by uncertainty and change. Utilities’ ability to pivot and adjust is paramount, as is understanding what got us here in the first place.
