Electrical consultants can analyze your business practices and make recommendations to help run your operations more smoothly. They can analyze your facilities and costs as compared to those of competitors, as well as provide environmental impact studies. Utility consultants review your supply chain operations, the markets you're serving and regulatory issues affecting the industry. They can provide research and staff training, marketing reviews and cost reduction solutions.

Consider which kinds of services you need when looking to hire utility consulting companies. Request bids based on which company can provide the procurement strategies you need. Start making the most of electric utility consultants who will ensure that your company is positioned to utilize the latest technology and purchasing programs in a variety of ways.

1. Look for utility consultants with specific skills for your needs.

2. Work with an electric utility consulting firm to improve profits by finding ways to reduce costs.

3. Bring in a utility consulting company that meets your budget expectations.

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Bring in utility industry consulting services with certain specialties

Explore the options that electrical consultants can bring to your business. Find a utility consulting company with extensive experience in the fields best suited to the specific project at hand, including facility upgrades and reviews of your branding strategies. They can keep you informed of regulatory changes you need to know to remain compliant.

I recommend: Technically Speaking brings a wealth of experience to electric utility companies. PIRA works with major energy suppliers all over the world to help them modernize their operations, save resources, build their market base and increase efficiency. EcoSecurities instructs utilities on how to manage a carbon program.

Improve your bottom line with electrical consultants

Give the consultants access to your books, managers and front-line employees. This way, they can make a complete assessment, find weak areas and offer solutions for saving money. Electric company consultants can perform research that gives you realistic usage barometers on which to base your output.

I recommend: Seven Utility can approach your organization from a number of perspectives to find the best ways to make your company more profitable. Consider bringing in The NorthBridge Group for their expertise in a number of arenas, from pricing strategy to marketing and other profit-making advice.

Contract budget-minded electric utility consulting services

You may reduce your costs by outsourcing some or all of your new energy plans to electrical consulting companies. Electric consultants often act as energy brokers and can take over your negotiations on a permanent basis. They can set up your new systems and manage the delivery and day-to-day operations as well as handle reporting of daily utility sales, pay the bills and monitor your usage.

I recommend: EnRisk Partners provides clients with a breakdown of services that will show a return on investment of up to 9%, more than paying for their services. The Energy Advisory Group keeps the client's budget in mind when putting together a proposal for consulting services.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Find electric utility consultants who are independent and not tied to any electric utility products they may try to sell you.

Utility consultants provide expert analysis and advisory services to add value to electric utility clients' operations. Electrical consultants apply quantitative skills, market insights and regulatory expertise to find solutions to complex utility industry problems. With vast resources and market intelligence, utility consulting firms provide clients with cost reduction solutions, service and support with the overall goal of improving utility processes, operations and profitability.

Before beginning your search for electric utility consultants, define your electrical consultancy needs. Clearly identify the goal of your electrical consulting services, including project scope, skills needed, time frame and budget. This information will help your organization select the best utility industry consulting firm to meet your specific needs.

When selecting utility engineering consultants for your organization, research each electric utility consulting firm and evaluate the following:

1. What kind of market experience and expertise do the electricity specialists offer for your specific type of business?

2. What services do the utility consulting companies provide to reduce operating expenses and improve operational efficiencies for your business?

3. How much should your business invest in electrical consulting services?

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Hire electric utility consultants that specialize in your business market

Select electricity experts who are seasoned professionals with extensive experience in your specific type of electric utility business. Ask to see a list of past and present clients, and request references.

I recommend: Utilities Analyses has expertise serving large utility customers with multiple locations, and offers a partial online client list. Macquarie Cook Energy serves local distribution companies, municipalities, generation facilities, producers, energy marketers, industrial end users, financial institutions, cooperative energy service companies and US government agencies. PIRA Energy Group has more then 500 clients in 51 countries, including national utility companies, independent producers, refiners, marketers, financial institutions and government agencies.

Choose electrical consultants with established skills

Review the services offered by each utility consulting company, and assess each firm's ability to provide the specific skill sets you need. Evaluate the utility industry consulting firm's experience, market intelligence and qualifications. Request examples of successful projects similar in scope to your projected electrical consulting service.

I recommend: Titus offers a full menu of consulting services, including energy cost analysis, energy procurement, energy price risk assessment, measurement, systems and process improvement. Muse Stancil provides energy consulting services in business strategy, mergers and acquisitions, asset performance, valuation, dispute resolution and commercial development. The NorthBridge Group focuses on helping clients develop strategies for competitive market analysis and strategy, state regulatory initiatives and strategy, mergers and acquisitions, regulated power supply procurement and wholesale market design.

Select a utility consulting firm that meets your budget

Many utility consulting companies operate on a retainer with a minimum time commitment. Several offer hourly fee, project fee or performance fee options. Your electrical consultancy cost will depend upon the scope of your services.

I recommend: UtiliTech offers a range of billing options to fit customer preferences including shared savings, defined scope fixed fee and retainer. National Utility Service Consulting provides its cost control program on a performance fee basis, which means sharing refunds and savings for a predetermined time period. Get a free energy consultation from EnRisk Partners.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If your utility consulting firm operates on a performance or contingent fee basis, make sure that your business will not be subject to fee payment if you do not realize financial savings from the electrical consulting service.
• •  Select a utility consulting firm that is not subject to the influence of any utility supplier. Independent electric utility consultants provide unbiased market research and pricing studies for the benefit of your company's financial interests, not those of a utility supplier.

Electrical utility consultants have a range of opportunities, from government utility projects to private electrical consulting for commercial and industrial companies. The skills needed to work in utility consulting include basic and advanced knowledge of electrical systems and electrical system design, and some expertise working with the latest technology for large and small power grids.

Years of training are necessary to learn the skills electricity specialists must have, but there are many programs that can give you the opportunity to begin working in the field of electronics. Electric utility consultants education and training can include:

1. Vocational training to learn the basics of electrical concepts.

2. College courses in electrical engineering and design.

3. Seminars taught by electricity experts.

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Complete a four-year program to acquire the skills a utility consulting company is looking for

A degree in electrical engineering is essential training for anyone who is interested in working as an electrical consultant. This four-year degree (with an option for a masters) will cover the basic and advanced skills necessary to work with electricity. Advanced skills include cover design, power grids and technology.

I recommend: Fairfield University provides a four-year degree in electrical engineering that covers circuits, power systems and advanced technology. Cal Poly State University provides a bachelors of science in electrical engineering that is certified by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

Attend conferences organized for electrical consulting services professionals

Professionals in the industry should be prepared to attend many conferences and educational events. These events offer a chance to learn about new grid design concepts, new technology, and also give experts in the field a chance to share their knowledge with other electric utility consultants.

I recommend: Electricity Utility Consultants is an organization that holds many conferences, seminars and online events for electricity consultants. The Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference provides educational sessions that cover topics geared to those who work for investor-owned electric utilities across the country.

Sign up for seminars provided through organizations for electricity experts

Those who want to become experts in electricity systems should plan to attend many seminars and workshops during school and after earning a degree. These sessions provide news on the latest technology, safety standards and other issues relevant to electrical consultants.

I recommend: IEEE offers many conferences and meetings throughout the year hosted by electricity experts. The IEEE also gives electrical engineers a chance to publish papers and host their own meetings. The Electrical Generating Systems Association provides seminars and conferences for the continuing education of its members and the Electric Power Research Institute runs a full calendar of educational events.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many utility consulting companies have apprenticeships and internships available to those studying in the field of electrical engineering. These opportunities provide the best firsthand experience in the field.

Many businesses use electric utility consultants to ensure their electric utility bills are correct. Electric utility consultants analyze and review electric usage for customers. These utilities consultants use specialized skills and information to make sure that your utility bills stay as low as possible. Before you begin searching for electric utility consultants, review these electric utility consultants key terms so that you will understand exactly what services the companies are offering.

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PUC

The PUC, Public Utility Commission, PSC or Public Services Commission, is a U.S. Governmental agency that oversees all electricity, gas, oil, sewer, water, transportation and telephone companies in the country. There is a PUC or PSC for each state.

I recommend: Learn more about the Public Utility Commission at LoveToKnow. Find more information about the Public Utility Commission at the Institute for Telecommunications Services.

EBP

EBP refers to Electronic Bill Payers or Electronic Bill Payments. Electronic Bill Payers are companies that accept payments for utilities bills online. Electronic Bill Payments are the actual payment transactions.

I recommend: WebMediaBrands has more information about EBPs. Discover more about electronic bill payers at The Council for Electronic Billing and Payment.

ICE

ICE, or Inter-Continental Exchange, is a market based in Georgia that facilitates the exchange of energy commodities.

I recommend: Visit AllBusiness.com to learn more about the Inter-Continental Exchange. Answers also has information about ICE. ICE helps individuals and companies that want to buy and sell oil and oil products.

OPEC

OPEC stand for the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. OPEC is made up of 12 major petroleum companies that produce 40% of the world's oil.

I recommend: The Investor Glossary has more details about the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Visit the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries website for complete information about OPEC.

NGL

NGL stands for Natural Gas Liquids. NGLs are common mixtures of naturally occurring gases that are used to produce energy. Methane, propane and butane are a few NGLs.

I recommend: Understand how NGLs are a part of our every day lives with information from BP America. Find more details about NGLs at Answers.

REC

RECs, Renewable Energy Credits, Green Tags, Renewable Energy Certificate, or Tradable Renewable Certificates (TRC) are credits that can be traded for environmentally-friendly commodities such as wind power, solar power and biomass energy.

I recommend: The Green Power Network provides more details about RECs. American Wind Energy Association also offers information about renewable energy credits.