Frontier Energy

What Frontier Energy does

Frontier Energy, Inc. is a California-incorporated professional services firm that designs, implements, and administers energy efficiency, building electrification, EM&V, codes and standards, transportation electrification, and workforce development programs for utilities, government agencies, Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs), Regional Energy Networks (RENs), and private clients across 15 U.S. states. The company traces to predecessor firms founded in 1981 (Bevilacqua-Knight, Davis Energy Group) and was assembled in its current form through a 2017 three-way merger of Bevilacqua-Knight, Davis Energy Group, and Fisher-Nickel, followed by the addition of CDH Energy and Frontier Associates in 2018 and the acquisition of Energy Insight in 2019. Frontier reports ~200 employees, 150 clients, and 1,500 projects, with offices in Davis, Pleasanton, Austin, Cazenovia, and Chanhassen, and trades on the OTCQB under the symbol FRGY. Leadership team includes VPs and Directors covering BREC, IC&I, Process Decarbonization, Implementation Services, Building Decarbonization, Outreach, and Codes & Standards, with named individuals such as Adam Walburger, Matt Haley, David Zabrowski, Steve Wiese, Bob Hendron, Tanuj Gulati, and Dan Robb.

Frontier's offering combines a stack of proprietary software and a portfolio of service lines. The EnerTrek software brand delivers the Program Portfolio Portal (P3), which has tracked 624 programs and over $200M in paid incentives, and the Deemed Savings Engine (DSE), embedded with Technical Reference Manual (TRM) calculations for TX, AR, NM, OK, LA, IL, and MN and integrated with 12+ program tracking systems. The Food Service Technology Center (FSTC) is an EPA-recognized fuel-neutral test laboratory that performs ENERGY STAR certification testing for commercial kitchen equipment and develops ASTM standards, supported by the Fishnick brand and the Fe3 online learning/certification platform (500+ certified). The NYSERDA DER Portal (der.nyserda.ny.gov) has collected hourly generation data from ~500 distributed energy resource sites nightly since 2005, including CHP, ADG, fuel cell, solar, and storage projects. Service lines include Residential and Commercial Programs, Commercial and Industrial Audits and Programs, Building Electrification and Decarbonization, Community Energy Services, EM&V and Quality Assurance, Laboratory and Field Services, and Transportation Electrification.

The business model blends long-term professional services contracts with utilities and government agencies (multi-year, custom-priced), recurring software subscriptions (P3/DSE under the EnerTrek brand, billed annually with implementation, customization, training, and help-desk support), and grant-funded program administration. Customers include investor-owned and municipal utilities (PG&E, SoCalGas, SDG&E, SCE, ConEd, CenterPoint, Xcel, Oncor, Atmos, AEP Texas, Great Plains Natural Gas, Minnesota Power), state agencies (NYSERDA, CEC, BayREN, SACOG, 3C-REN), and federal programs (DOE/NREL, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers). Notable 2024 federal designations include Building America Retrofit Solutions Team Lead status, SOLVE IT Prize Phase 1 win for the 'Comunidades Del Sol' Texas solar initiative, ITAC-equivalent third-party assessor approval, and leadership of adopted 2025 Title 24, Part 6 measures. Frontier holds SOC 2 Type II certification for five consecutive years and reported an NPS of 9.1 in 2022.

Name

Frontier Energy

Legal name

Frontier Energy, Inc.

Website

https://frontierenergy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Frontier Energy is a California-based professional services firm that designs, implements, and administers energy efficiency, electrification, and EM&V programs for utilities, CCAs, RENs, and government agencies across 15 U.S. states, supported by proprietary software (P3, DSE) and the Food Service Technology Center.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Energy Efficiency Consulting & Program Management

NAICS

Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (33531), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)

SIC

Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

High-Voltage Electrical Systems (Switchgear, Transformers, Protection & Control) (EUAEAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Standards, Certification & Compliance (RECs/GOs, sustainability reporting) (EUAMANAJ), Benchmarking, Ratings & Stakeholder Reporting Portals (Scorecards, Dashboards) (EUABAEAJ), Energy & Renewables Specialty Contracting (Solar PV, Storage, EV Charging) (IMAFALAJ)

Keywords

• Energy efficiency consulting
• Utility program management
• Building decarbonization services
• Commercial foodservice testing
• EM&V and evaluation

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Professional services / consulting fees: Core revenue from designing, implementing, and administering energy efficiency, electrification, EM&V, codes & standards, transportation electrification, and workforce development programs for utilities, government agencies, CCAs, RENs, and private clients. Long-term contractual engagements.
2. Software subscriptions (P3 / Deemed Savings Engine / EnerTrek): Recurring revenue from licensing Program Portfolio Portal (P3) and Deemed Savings Engine (DSE) to utilities in Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Illinois, and Minnesota. Includes implementation, customization, training, and unlimited help-desk support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Frontier Energy designs, implements, and administers energy efficiency, building electrification, EM&V, codes & standards, transportation electrification, and workforce development programs for utilities, government agencies, CCAs, RENs, and private clients across the United States. The firm supplements its professional services with proprietary software (Program Portfolio Portal and Deemed Savings Engine under the EnerTrek brand), a commercial foodservice testing laboratory (FSTC), an online learning platform (Fe3), and the NYSERDA DER Portal.

Product overview

Frontier Energy is a California-based professional services firm offering a platform-plus-modules portfolio of energy efficiency and clean energy services spanning residential, commercial, industrial, community, and transportation markets. The offering combines seven service lines (Residential and Commercial Programs; Commercial and Industrial Audits and Programs; Building Electrification and Decarbonization; Community Energy Services; EM&V and Quality Assurance; Laboratory and Field Services; and Transportation Electrification) with branded software, lab, and learning assets: the Food Service Technology Center (FSTC) and Fishnick sub-brand anchor commercial foodservice testing, design, and outreach; the Fe3 online learning platform delivers foodservice efficiency training and certification; the Deemed Savings Engine (DSE) and Program Portfolio Portal (P3) under the EnerTrek software brand provide program tracking, savings calculation, and validation for utilities; and the NYSERDA DER Portal publishes distributed energy resources performance data for New York. Together these software tools, lab facilities, and service programs support utilities, CCAs, RENs, manufacturers, and government clients in conservation, electrification, decarbonization, and energy code development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Food Service Technology Center (FSTC): North America's recognized name in restaurant energy and water efficiency; operates the FSTC lab and the Fishnick brand for evaluating commercial foodservice appliances.
• Fishnick
• EnerTrek
• Deemed Savings Engine (DSE)
• Fe3

Products and services

• Food Service Technology Center (FSTC) North America's most-recognized name in restaurant energy and water efficiency. An independent EPA-recognized fuel-neutral test laboratory evaluating commercial foodservice appliances and ventilation systems, providing ENERGY STAR certification testing for ovens, fryers, griddles, holding cabinets, steamers, and dishmachines, and developing ASTM standard test methods.
• Deemed Savings Engine (DSE) Custom-built software solution that lets utilities centrally maintain and implement deemed savings while enforcing installation requirements. Embedded with calculations for Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Illinois, and Minnesota Technical Reference Manuals (TRMs) and integrated with more than a dozen program tracking systems to provide calculations and installation standard validations for over 30 unique programs.
• Program Portfolio Portal (P3) Frontier Energy's program management software offered under the EnerTrek brand, used by utilities in Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Illinois, and Minnesota to streamline collection, review, and processing of data from energy efficiency programs. Has tracked 624 programs and over $200 million in paid incentives since inception; incorporates the Deemed Savings Engine into the subscription.
• Fe3 Online Learning Platform Online learning platform created by the Fishnick team aimed at commercial kitchen designers, culinary and hospitality educators, foodservice operators, and utility representatives. Includes six modules with learning objectives, post-testing, videos, web links, and gamification; passing all modules grants Fe3 Certification. More than 500 people are Fe3-certified, with a major university adding Fe3 to its hospitality curriculum.
• NYSERDA DER Portal Back-end database and public-facing portal designed, developed, and managed by Frontier Energy for NYSERDA since 2005. Collects hourly generation data from nearly 500 distributed generation sites each night, including 347 CHP, ADG, and fuel cell projects, 780 solar projects, and 26 energy storage projects. Approximately 50 people access the data daily.
• Residential and Commercial Programs Designs, implements, and administers residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, low-income, multifamily, and rental conservation programs for utility, government, and CCA clients. Focus areas include commercial foodservice efficiency, plug load savings studies, residential cooktop performance studies, and P3-supported program management.
• Commercial and Industrial Audits and Programs Performs energy and water audits on behalf of utilities, government agencies, or individual buildings ranging from a single system to international deployment. Includes the NYSERDA DER M&V program, compressed air leak studies, energy end-use analysis, steam trap studies, utility sales tax exemptions, and DOE ITAC-equivalent third-party assessments.
• Building Electrification and Decarbonization Codes and standards work, lab and field testing of innovative technologies, integrated design, load-shifting, and zero-net energy programs for residential and commercial buildings. Featured projects include TECH Clean California, SWEPCO COMPASS, the Induction Lending Program, California State Energy Code development, Sonoma Clean Power, and Workforce Development.
• Community Energy Services For more than 30 years, Frontier has designed, implemented, and administered efficiency and conservation programs for utilities, CCAs, rural electric coops, and regional energy networks (RENs). Includes multifamily, low-income, and hard-to-reach residential programs; foodservice equipment rebates; and outreach and education for buildings.
• EM&V and Quality Assurance Evaluation, measurement, and verification (EM&V) services that determine whether programs meet energy or water savings, cost reduction, customer value, and co-benefit goals. Includes field monitoring for commercial kitchen appliances to community-scale CHP systems, technical reference manual development, deemed savings calculation work, and independent regulatory evaluation across 11 states.
• Laboratory and Field Services Frontier's laboratory and field research services across its Food Service Tech Lab, Building Science Research Lab, and field monitoring unit that operates in real-world environments. Tests heat pump water heaters, distributed generation, commercial kitchen appliances, networked geothermal systems, and emerging construction techniques.
• Transportation Electrification Planning Plans and develops electric transportation fleet strategies. Includes the Northern California Megaregion Zero Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Study for SACOG and the Megaregion Working Group, with a long-term vision of 100% zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty transportation by 2045.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 46 million kWh saved by utility customers between 2018 and 2023
• +11 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature8 records

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) / National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 July 2024DOE and NREL selected Frontier Energy as a Phase 1 winner of the SOLVE IT Prize (Solutions for Lasting, Viable Energy Infrastructure Technologies). The prize funds development of small-scale pilot solar installations in underrepresented and low-income Texas communities under the "Comunicades Del Sol" initiative. Awarded by American Made Challenge, funded by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as part of the Technology Commercialization Fund.
• GTI EnergyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2024GTI Energy is a co-developer of Frontier's Building America Retrofit Solutions Team and co-designer (with Frontier) of the Foodservice Equipment Rebates program. Frontier is also joined with GTI as a co-architect of the Illinois Foodservice Equipment Rebates Program (FERs) which offers up to $3,000 instant discounts on qualifying equipment.
• AttunecoreTechnology or IntegrationAttune and Frontier Energy collaborate as technical implementation partners on the 3C-BEACH program, a California Energy Commission EPIC-funded initiative led by the County of Ventura evaluating residential electrification retrofits' impact on indoor air quality, occupant health, comfort, and other non-energy outcomes. Frontier supports coordination, instrumentation planning, monitoring deployment, and analysis of indoor air quality indicators.
• Community Services Agency of South Texas Inc. (CSAST)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCSAST is the local community-based organization collaborating with Frontier Energy on the "Comunicades Del Sol" pilot rooftop solar project at Villa de Reposo Apartments in Carrizo Springs, Texas. David Ojeda, Jr., Executive Director of CSAST, is the on-the-ground project lead engaging with residents interested in the program.
• Carrizo Springs Housing AuthoritycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHousing authority partner collaborating with Frontier Energy on the SOLVE IT Prize "Comunicades Del Sol" pilot in Texas for low-income communities.
• Texas Energy Poverty Research InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner supporting Frontier Energy's SOLVE IT Prize project on community energy access.
• Texas Solar Energy SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting Frontier Energy's SOLVE IT Prize "Comunicades Del Sol" pilot in Texas.
• Solar Power IntegratorscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCorpus Christi-based solar installation company supporting Frontier Energy's SOLVE IT Prize project, including pilot rooftop solar installations in Texas.
• DKS AssociatescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCo-developed the Northern California Megaregion Zero Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Study for SACOG and the Megaregion Working Group with Frontier Energy, Black & Veatch, DIYSL, and Momentum.
• Black & VeatchcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCo-developed the Northern California Megaregion Zero Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Study with Frontier Energy, DKS Associates, DIYSL, and Momentum for SACOG.
• DIYSLminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCollaborator on the Northern California Megaregion Zero Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Study.
• MomentumminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCollaborator on the Northern California Megaregion Zero Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Study.
• Tom Bassett-Dilley Architects (TBDA)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitectural partner on Frontier Energy's DOE Building America Retrofit Solutions Team, contributing to demonstration of innovative retrofit strategies for low-income and rural areas.
• Blacks in Green (BIG)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommunity-based partner on Frontier Energy's DOE Building America Retrofit Solutions Team, contributing to outreach support for underserved communities.
• EnergyDocsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner on Frontier Energy's DOE Building America Retrofit Solutions Team.
• Lisa A. Baker ConsultingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConsulting partner on Frontier Energy's DOE Building America Retrofit Solutions Team.
• 3C-REN (Counties of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership between the California Counties of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura established to deliver energy-saving programs; contributes technical expertise and outreach support to Frontier's Building America Retrofit Solutions Team.
• RISE, Inc.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNonprofit engaging the rural Yolo County (California) community in programs and social services that promote self-determination and self-sufficiency; partner on Frontier's Building America Retrofit Solutions Team.
• Bradford WhitecoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerAmerican-owned, full-line manufacturer of residential, commercial, and industrial products for water heating, space heating, combination heating, and water storage. Equipment manufacturer partner on Frontier's Building America Retrofit Solutions Team.
• ChiltrixminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerManufacturer of innovative air-to-water heat pumps and chillers for homes; equipment manufacturer partner on Frontier's Building America Retrofit Solutions Team.
• VillaraminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHVAC contractor in California providing residential installation services, and developing innovative solutions to reduce energy while maintaining affordability. Implementation partner on Frontier's Building America Retrofit Solutions Team.
• Hydronic ShellminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerMaker of prefabricated facade panels that deliver individually controlled radiant heating in multi-family buildings; partner on Frontier's Building America Retrofit Solutions Team.
• Owens CorningminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerManufacturer of expertly engineered roofing and insulation products; equipment manufacturer partner on Frontier's Building America Retrofit Solutions Team.
• Sustained Ability ConstructionminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerDeveloper of non-structural insulated panels for fast and effective existing home efficiency upgrades; partner on Frontier's Building America Retrofit Solutions Team.
• TECH Clean CaliforniaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrontier Energy is a core member of the TECH Clean California implementation team, partnering to advance California's mission to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 through market adoption of low-emissions space and water heat pump technologies. Frontier leads recruiting/managing contractors, workforce training, financing coordination with CAEATFA's GoGreen Home Energy Financing program, reporting, and pilot programs. Exceeded initial goal of recruiting 700 contractors by enrolling 923 within the first six months.
• California Statewide Codes and Standards Enhancement (CASE) TeamflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrontier Energy is the lead contractor responsible for single family home measures for the CASE Team, led measures adopted into the 2025 California Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6) related to residential envelopes, water heating, HVAC, and heat pumps. Partners with the California Energy Commission (CEC).
• Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrontier Energy was brought on to run the BayREN Codes and Standards Program. Coordinates efforts between the Association of Bay Area Governments, BayREN counties, the California Public Utilities Commission, and the California Energy Commission. Provides analysis and technical support for 25 building departments for energy code plan review, inspection, and approval.
• ASTM InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStandards-development partner with Frontier Energy's Food Service Technology Center; FSTC started to develop ASTM standard test methods for commercial foodservice equipment starting with fryers and griddles.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• ICF International: Large public-sector and utility consulting firm with a sizable energy efficiency and climate practice; competes with Frontier on federal and utility EM&V, program design, and policy work but at much greater scale across multiple verticals.
• TRC Companies: Engineering and consulting firm with a strong energy efficiency, EM&V, and codes & standards practice; overlaps with Frontier on utility programs, building decarbonization, and regulatory support across multiple U.S. states.
• DNV (Energy): Global energy advisory and certification body with North American energy efficiency and demand-side management services; competes with Frontier on utility program evaluation, standards work, and software/EM&V offerings.

Direct peers

• Resource Innovations: Energy efficiency and demand-side management consulting firm delivering portfolio-level program implementation, evaluation, and software to utilities and government clients — directly comparable in service mix and customer base to Frontier.
• Franklin Energy: Utility program implementation and EM&V provider serving electric and gas utilities across the U.S.; competes with Frontier on residential, multifamily, and commercial energy efficiency programs, including low-income and weatherization work.
• CLEAResult: Largest pure-play U.S. energy efficiency program implementer; competes head-to-head with Frontier on residential, commercial, and industrial utility program design, implementation, and EM&V across multiple states.
• Willdan Energy Solutions: Energy and sustainability consulting subsidiary of Willdan Group, focused on utility program administration, codes & standards, and EM&V; overlapping client base and service lines with Frontier, including California Title 24 expertise.
• Energy Solutions: Mission-driven energy efficiency consulting firm serving utilities, state agencies, and CCAs with program design, EM&V, and codes & standards work; closely comparable customer base and service mix to Frontier, particularly in California.
• Slipstream (formerly Energy Center of Wisconsin): Nonprofit energy efficiency research and program implementation organization serving Midwest utilities; comparable to Frontier's Minnesota operations (Energy Insight heritage) on residential, multifamily, and commercial programs.

Emerging players

• GTI Energy: Gas-focused research and consulting organization; co-develops Frontier's Building America Retrofit Solutions Team and Illinois Foodservice Equipment Rebates program, and competes in adjacent gas-efficiency and building decarbonization niches.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/_FrontierEnergy

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Frontier Energy