Energy & Utilities

Write a cold email to an energy or utility executive.

Context:
- Recipient: [NAME, TITLE]
- Utility type: [ELECTRIC / GAS / WATER / MULTI-UTILITY]
- Size: [CUSTOMERS SERVED / TERRITORY]
- Signal: [REGULATORY CHANGE / INFRASTRUCTURE / SUSTAINABILITY GOAL]
- My solution: [WHAT YOU SELL]
- Regulatory alignment: [HOW YOU HELP WITH COMPLIANCE]

Energy/Utility Email Rules:
- Understand their regulatory environment (PUC, FERC, state mandates)
- Reference sustainability/decarbonization goals
- Speak to grid reliability, safety, customer experience
- Be aware of rate case cycles
- Long sales cycles are normal (12-24+ months)
- Reference similar utilities or regulatory requirements

Utility buyers care about: reliability, safety, compliance, customer satisfaction, rates.

Create approach for co-ops and municipal utilities.

Context:
- Utility: [NAME]
- Type: [ELECTRIC CO-OP / MUNICIPAL / PUBLIC POWER DISTRICT]
- Size: [METERS / CUSTOMERS]
- Region: [STATE/AREA]
- My solution: [WHAT YOU SELL]
- Value: [SPECIFIC BENEFIT FOR SMALLER UTILITIES]

Co-op/Muni differences from IOUs:
1. Smaller staff (fewer specialists)
2. Board governance (elected or appointed)
3. Member/customer focus (not shareholder)
4. Limited budget for technology
5. Rely on associations (NRECA, APPA)
6. Often use cooperative buying programs

Approach strategy:
- Reference similar co-ops/munis
- Emphasize ease of implementation
- Address resource constraints
- Show association partnerships if any
- Be patient with board approval process
- Consider joint purchasing opportunities

These are relationship sales - trust takes time.

Generate discovery questions for a utility prospect.

Context:
- Prospect: [NAME, TITLE at UTILITY]
- Utility type: [ELECTRIC / GAS / WATER]
- My product: [WHAT YOU SELL]
- Known initiative: [WHAT THEY'RE WORKING ON]

Utility discovery categories:
1. Regulatory environment (PUC requirements, rate cases, mandates)
2. Current systems and infrastructure age
3. Capital vs. operating budget dynamics
4. Sustainability and decarbonization goals
5. Customer experience initiatives
6. Workforce challenges (aging workforce, safety)
7. Decision process (extremely long and complex)
8. Rate case timing (critical for budgeting)

Utilities are heavily regulated - understand the regulatory drivers first.

Discovery questions for smart grid/AMI initiative.

Context:
- Utility: [NAME]
- Grid initiative: [AMI / DERMS / ADMS / GRID SENSORS / OTHER]
- Current state: [WHERE THEY ARE IN JOURNEY]
- My product: [WHAT YOU SELL]
- Fit: [HOW WE SUPPORT THEIR INITIATIVE]

Discovery areas:
1. Current infrastructure (meters, comms, SCADA)
2. Initiative scope and timeline
3. Vendor relationships (who's already involved)
4. Integration requirements
5. Data management strategy
6. Customer program goals
7. Budget and funding source
8. Regulatory requirements driving initiative
9. Pilot vs. full deployment approach

For grid tech:
- Who owns the decision (ops vs. IT vs. customer)
- Procurement process (RFP likely)
- Success metrics
- Reference utilities they've talked to

Grid modernization is multi-year - understand the full roadmap.

Help me respond to: "This isn't included in our current rate case / capital plan."

Context:
- My product: [WHAT YOU SELL]
- Their utility: [TYPE AND SIZE]
- Their rate case cycle: [IF KNOWN]
- Budget category: [CAPEX vs OPEX implications]

This is a real constraint in utilities. Help me:
1. Understand their rate case timeline
2. Ask about alternative budget categories (O&M vs. capital)
3. Explore pilot or proof-of-concept scope
4. Position for next rate case inclusion
5. Identify regulatory mandates that could justify faster action
6. Plant seeds for the next planning cycle

Rate cases are real constraints - don't fight them, plan around them.

Write a business case for a utility investment.

Context:
- Utility: [NAME]
- Initiative: [WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH]
- My solution: [WHAT YOU SELL]
- Regulatory drivers: [MANDATES, RATE CASE REQUIREMENTS]
- Investment: [YOUR PRICE]
- Expected outcomes: [METRICS]

Utility business cases need:
1. Regulatory alignment (how this supports compliance)
2. Customer benefit (rate impact, service quality)
3. Reliability/safety improvements
4. Operating cost savings
5. Capital efficiency
6. Implementation risk mitigation
7. Reference utilities
8. Alignment with IRP (Integrated Resource Plan) if relevant

Format for regulatory review - utilities often need to justify to PUC.

Position my solution for utility sustainability goals.

Context:
- Utility: [NAME]
- Sustainability target: [NET ZERO BY YEAR / RENEWABLE % / ETC]
- Current progress: [WHERE THEY ARE]
- My solution: [WHAT YOU SELL]
- Sustainability contribution: [HOW WE HELP]

Address utility sustainability priorities:
1. Decarbonization pathway
2. Renewable integration
3. Grid modernization
4. Electrification (EVs, heating)
5. Energy efficiency programs
6. Customer-side resources (DERs)
7. Environmental justice
8. Reporting and compliance

Position around:
- Regulatory compliance (state mandates)
- Cost of achieving targets
- Operational feasibility
- Customer program effectiveness
- Measurement and verification

Include ESG and investor perspective if applicable.

Pitch for a utility customer program initiative.

Context:
- Utility: [NAME]
- Program type: [DEMAND RESPONSE / ENERGY EFFICIENCY / REBATES / RATES / EV]
- Current program: [WHAT THEY HAVE TODAY]
- Pain points: [PARTICIPATION / COST / MEASUREMENT]
- My solution: [WHAT YOU SELL]
- Program improvement: [HOW WE HELP]

Utility customer program priorities:
1. Participation rates
2. Cost per kWh saved (or kW reduced)
3. M&V (measurement and verification)
4. Customer experience
5. Equity and access
6. Regulatory compliance
7. Integration with other programs

Position around:
- Increased participation
- Lower program costs
- Better customer experience
- Improved M&V accuracy
- Regulatory reporting

Customer programs are judged by regulators - help them look good.

Write a follow-up email after a utility's rate case decision.

Context:
- Utility: [NAME]
- Contact: [NAME, TITLE]
- Rate case outcome: [APPROVED / MODIFIED / DENIED - if known]
- Our previous discussion: [CONTEXT]
- My solution: [WHAT YOU SELL]
- Next planning cycle: [WHEN]

Post-rate-case follow-up should:
1. Acknowledge the rate case process (it's exhausting)
2. Reference the outcome appropriately
3. Connect to initiatives that were approved
4. Position for newly funded programs
5. Plant seeds for next rate case if needed

Rate case outcomes create new opportunities - be ready.