What Advanced Energy does

Advanced Energy is a nonprofit energy consulting firm founded in 1980 and headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, that provides independent research, testing, training, consulting, and program design services to electric utilities, commercial and industrial businesses, government entities, and residential homeowners. Its five core service lines are Commercial & Industrial energy management, Motors & Drives testing and certification, Power Systems (IBR verification and renewables commissioning), Electric Transportation infrastructure planning, and Residential energy efficiency guidance delivered through the Advanced Energy at Home platform. The firm operates the only independent NVLAP-accredited motor test lab in North America (Lab Code 200081-0) under ISO/IEC 17025 and holds ISO/IEC 17065 Certification Body status recognized by ANSI/ANAB for electric motor efficiency verification, providing a unique independent third-party testing and certification capability that competitors cannot easily replicate.

The business model is fee-for-service professional consulting supplemented by government grants (notably US Department of Energy) and utility membership funding. Revenue streams include tailored commercial/industrial energy assessments, ISO 50001 consulting, renewables planning and commissioning, motor and drive testing/certification, applied research projects, and free residential homeowner guidance funded through utility partnerships with Duke Energy, Dominion Energy North Carolina, and NC's Electric Cooperatives since 2004. Services are delivered via direct consulting engagements, utility member referrals, and a public consulting platform. The firm maintains wholly-owned subsidiaries including NC GreenPower (clean energy education for NC schools) and SystemVision (affordable housing quality assurance), plus a brand presence in applied research on V2G technology, cold-climate heat pumps, predictable peak demand, and grid-integrated water heaters.

The customer base is concentrated in the Southeast United States, particularly North Carolina, with named enterprise clients including Duke Energy, Dominion Energy North Carolina, North Carolina's Electric Cooperatives, Tennessee Valley Authority, and the US Department of Energy, alongside government clients such as NASA and NCDEQ. Key channels include an in-house blog/resource library, the Exploring North Carolina Smart Grid webinar series, NC State University co-op recruiting, industry conference participation, utility referral partnerships, and an annual impact report. Distribution is direct through expert consultations and program-specific engagements rather than product resale. The firm recently expanded through a partnership with EPIC at UNC Charlotte to scale motor and drive testing capacity and achieved CEO succession from Bob Goodson to Brian Coble in October 2024.

Name

Advanced Energy

Legal name

Advanced Energy

Website

https://advancedenergy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Advanced Energy is a nonprofit energy consulting firm founded in 1980 in Raleigh, NC, providing independent research, testing, training, and program design services to electric utilities, commercial/industrial businesses, government, and North Carolina homeowners. It operates the only independent NVLAP-accredited motor test lab in North America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Energy Consulting Services

NAICS

Engineering Services (54133), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825), Motors & Generators (3621)

akta.pro primary industry

Energy Systems & Power Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Asset Management & Owner’s Engineering (Lifecycle Strategy, Budgeting, Technical Due Diligence) (EUAMAGAJ), Renewable Energy Asset Management (Solar/Wind/Hydro/Geothermal) (EUAEAMAB), Battery Safety Engineering (Fire Detection/Suppression, Hazard Mitigation) & Code Compliance (EUAEAEAI)

Keywords

• Energy efficiency consulting
• Motor testing services
• Renewable energy planning
• Utility program design
• Applied energy research

Headquarters

HQ city

Raleigh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Energy Efficiency Consulting Services: Fee-for-service consulting engagements providing energy assessments, ISO 50001 consulting, renewables planning, EV infrastructure planning, and decarbonization services to commercial, industrial, and residential clients. Services are tailored and quote-based.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Advanced Energy is a nonprofit energy consulting firm delivering expert engineering services across five markets: commercial and industrial energy management, motors and drives testing (through an NVLAP-accredited lab), power systems and IBR interconnection verification, electric transportation planning, and residential energy efficiency guidance. Revenue is generated through fee-for-service consulting, testing, certification, training, and applied research engagements for utilities, businesses, government, and homeowners.

Product overview

Advanced Energy is a nonprofit energy consulting firm (not a semiconductor company) offering a broad portfolio of services rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include: Energy Management for Business (decarbonization, renewables planning, EV infrastructure, ISO 50001 consulting); Motors and Drives testing and certification services through an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited lab; Power Systems services for IBR verification and interconnection; Residential services through Advanced Energy at Home; and Applied Research on grid-edge technologies. Key subsidiaries include NC GreenPower (clean energy education) and SystemVision (affordable housing). The company serves utilities, governments, businesses, and homeowners primarily in North Carolina, with 45+ years of experience since the 1980s.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Energy Management for Business Comprehensive decarbonization and sustainability services for commercial and industrial clients, including renewables planning, electric vehicle charging infrastructure planning, ISO 50001 consulting, and facility/process energy assessments.
• Commercial and Industrial Services Energy efficiency identification, electrification opportunity assessment, power quality solutions, and energy management program guidance for businesses.
• Electric Transportation Planning Proactive EV infrastructure planning for local governments, businesses, and schools, helping clients cost-effectively meet EV infrastructure needs.
• Motors and Drives Testing and Certification Independent motor and drive testing, certification, training, and research services delivered through an internationally accredited ISO/IEC 17025 NVLAP lab (Lab Code 200081-0) for governments, OEMs, manufacturers, distributors, repair facilities, and utilities.
• Residential Services (Advanced Energy at Home) Free guidance for North Carolina homeowners on energy efficiency, comfort, indoor air quality, HVAC, moisture management, duct sealing, smart home technology, and EV ownership.
• Power Systems and Renewables Services Third-party engineering services for utility-scale renewables and battery storage projects, including interconnection verification, commissioning, design reviews, and legacy site inspection.
• Applied Research Applied research services helping utilities understand how distributed and flexible load technologies support grid management, including V2G, heat pumps, smart thermostats, battery storage, and demand response research.
• Interconnection Verification Independent verification that inverter-based resources (solar, battery storage) and large load projects comply with relevant documentation, codes, and standards, giving utilities confidence in safe and reliable grid performance.
• Energy Assessments Comprehensive assessments of energy usage in commercial and industrial facilities and production processes, covering buildings, energy-consuming systems, and process flows from raw materials to finished goods.
• ISO 50001 Consulting Step-by-step support for ISO 50001 certification, 50001 Ready recognition, and Superior Energy Performance 50001 certification, including gap analysis, training, process development, and audit preparation.
• Renewables Planning Third-party engineering services for commercial solar and battery storage projects, including RFP assistance, bidder evaluation as owner's representative, design reviews, and full system commissioning.
• Proven Efficiency Verification (PEV) Program Quality assurance program verifying that motor service centers can perform high-quality AC induction motor diagnosis and repair.
• Energy Affordability for North Carolina Communities Energy efficiency upgrade services for low-income households and schools, including disaster recovery support (e.g., Hurricane Helene) in partnership with Habitat for Humanity and other community organizations.
• Public Consulting (Ask An Expert) Direct consulting resource for North Carolina businesses, homeowners, and energy consumers to address energy-related challenges, save money, enhance reliability, and improve comfort.
• Utility Program Development Service for utilities to study and field test technologies and other measures to maximize energy efficiency and load flexibility benefits for their customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 5,500 equipment tests completed since 1980
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EPIC (Energy Production and Infrastructure Center, UNC Charlotte)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Advanced Energy and EPIC at UNC Charlotte entered into agreements to establish an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited motors and drives test lab at EPIC over the coming months. Advanced Energy will retain its customer base while EPIC owns and operates Advanced Energy's testing resources, effectively serving as a testing subcontractor. Equipment and IP transfer began in April 2026, expected to complete in two shipments. Operating overlaps between sites will ensure no delays in accredited testing. A second announcement will follow once EPIC achieves ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
• Habitat for Humanity of North CarolinacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide HVAC equipment assistance to low-income households impacted by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina. Advanced Energy provides financial assistance enabling families (such as Deborah and her husband in Bakersville) to install central heating and air conditioning systems as part of disaster recovery efforts.
• Duke EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-year research collaboration on battery storage technology for demand management, peak power reduction, and seasonal energy consumption reduction. Also collaborating on vehicle-to-grid technology research with electric school buses. Advanced Energy works with Duke Energy on AMI data analytics to understand peak demand drivers and inform rate design and demand response programs.
• Roanoke Electric CooperativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRoanoke Electric Cooperative partnered with Advanced Energy and Fermata Energy to pilot the first UL-verified V2G charging system with a Nissan Leaf, designed to determine the financial value of using EV batteries for grid support during peak demand and improving resilience for member-owners.
• North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation and Central Electric Membership CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCold-climate heat pump field research pilot project to compare performance of cold-climate heat pumps versus standard air-source models on overall energy use, peak power demand during extreme temperature hours, occupant comfort, and contractor installation practices.
• Fermata EnergycoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing V2X bidirectional charging system for the Roanoke Electric Cooperative V2G pilot project. Fermata Energy's V2X system has demonstrated ability to reduce peak demand of buildings and enables EVs to support grid management through bidirectional charging.
• Clean Energy WorksminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides advisory services for accelerating investment in grid-edge solutions as part of the Roanoke Electric Cooperative V2G pilot. Previously worked with Roanoke Electric to develop a business plan for its Upgrade to $ave demand-side management program.
• NC State University Clean Energy Technology CenterminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerParticipates through its Clean Transportation Program (also host of the largest outreach and engagement events in the region on sustainable fleets) as a partner in the Roanoke Electric Cooperative V2G project.
• Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational nonprofit partner supporting Roanoke Electric Cooperative's V2G pilot, bringing expertise in transportation electrification policy and private-sector partnerships to accelerate clean energy programs for rural communities.
• North Carolina's Electric CooperativescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore utility member partner since the organization's founding. NC's Electric Cooperatives collaborate with Advanced Energy on energy efficiency programs, heat pump research, and utility demand management initiatives. Served as a co-op position host and co-founder of NC GreenPower.
• Dominion Energy North CarolinacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore utility member partner requesting Advanced Energy to provide free homeowner guidance through the Advanced Energy at Home program. Collaborates on grid-integrated water heater research and various energy efficiency initiatives.
• Blue Ridge Energy and Blue Ridge Community ActionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners in Google's Energy Impact Fund ($2M contribution from Google). Advanced Energy collaborates with Blue Ridge Energy and Blue Ridge Community Action to accelerate energy affordability and efficiency initiatives in Caldwell County, NC.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• DNV: Global energy advisory and testing firm offering independent power systems advisory, renewables verification, and grid-integration services. Comparable to Advanced Energy's IBR verification, applied research, and energy consulting practices but at much greater scale and international breadth.
• Leidos: Large federal contractor with energy and environmental engineering services spanning grid modernization, renewables, and DOE program support. Competes with Advanced Energy for DOE-funded research and engineering services, particularly around power systems.
• TRC Companies: Engineering and consulting firm offering energy efficiency, demand response, grid modernization, and renewables services to utilities and C&I clients. Comparable consulting footprint to Advanced Energy, with similar utility-program-design and applied-research capabilities.
• ICF International: Public consulting firm with a large energy practice covering utility program design, energy efficiency, climate, and grid modernization. Competes with Advanced Energy for utility consulting engagements and applied-research work, particularly around EE/DR program evaluation.
• Cadmus Group: Energy and environmental consulting firm serving utilities, governments, and NGOs on EE program evaluation, electrification, and grid modernization. Competes directly with Advanced Energy's C&I and utility program-design engagements.

Others

• EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute): Nonprofit research institute delivering applied R&D for the electricity sector, including grid modernization, IBR integration, and storage research. Adjacent to Advanced Energy's applied-research portfolio, serving overlapping utility clients but at much broader scope.

Direct peers

• Frontier Energy: Energy consulting firm serving utilities, builders, and manufacturers on residential and commercial energy efficiency, codes and standards, and program evaluation. Closely overlaps Advanced Energy's residential, new-construction, and EE-program work, especially in the Southeast US.
• Slipstream: Nonprofit energy efficiency research and consulting organization (formerly the Energy Center of Wisconsin) focused on residential, commercial, and utility programs. Highly comparable nonprofit model and service mix to Advanced Energy, with similar utility-member-program delivery approach.
• Resource Innovations: Energy efficiency, decarbonization, and grid modernization consultancy serving utilities, governments, and C&I customers. Most direct peer to Advanced Energy's commercial/industrial and utility program-design offerings, with overlapping ISO 50001 and demand-management services.
• VEIC (Vermont Energy Investment Corporation): Nonprofit energy efficiency utility and consulting organization providing program design, implementation, and applied research. Closest nonprofit counterpart to Advanced Energy in mission and operating model, with comparable EE/DR program expertise.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AECorpTweets

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Advanced Energy