Answer extracted from The Future of Utilities Podcast — listen to the full episode below.
Who does Power Responsive want to bring into the conversation and involve?
Power Responsive wants to work closely with domestic users through suppliers and aggregators, but especially with industrial and commercial actors who want to understand their energy use better and how their loads can offer flexibility. The program aims to help all consumer types—from cold storage and supermarkets to EV fleets—recognize the value their flexibility can represent to their organizations.
Building demand-side participation across all sectors
Power Responsive targets a diverse range of participants because flexibility exists at every scale of the energy system. The program recognizes that understanding energy consumption patterns is the first step for any organization to unlock flexibility potential.
For domestic users, Power Responsive works through existing supply chains—suppliers and aggregators act as intermediaries to help residential consumers participate. However, the real focus extends far beyond households. Industrial and commercial organizations often have significant untapped flexibility in their operations, whether in refrigeration systems, supermarket operations, or EV fleet charging schedules.
As discussed in the podcast episode, this inclusive approach means the program actively wants to involve organizations that may not initially realize their flexibility value. A cold storage facility or a fleet of electric vehicles represents real, measurable flexibility that can contribute to system stability—if operators understand how to measure and monetize it.
"We want to make sure that consumers have the opportunity to participate across our energy system and be really involved."
Jonathan Wisdom — Head of Balancing Services Development and Delivery at NISO, the National Energy System Operator. Wisdom oversees how parties participate in NISO's markets and is responsible for driving demand-side flexibility and consumer engagement across the entire energy system.
From awareness to action
Power Responsive's engagement strategy goes beyond simply opening the door to participation. The program helps organizations understand the business case for their own flexibility—turning energy management from a cost center into a potential revenue stream or cost-saving opportunity.
For supermarkets, cold storage operators, and EV fleet managers, this means concrete guidance on measuring their flexibility, understanding its market value, and connecting with the right mechanisms to participate. The broader context, explored further in this episode, shows that Power Responsive is part of NISO's larger mission to evolve the energy system itself toward greater participation at scale.
Key takeaways
- Power Responsive engages domestic users through suppliers and aggregators while prioritizing industrial and commercial organizations seeking better energy understanding.
- The program targets operators of cold storage, supermarkets, and EV fleets—sectors with significant untapped flexibility potential.
- Power Responsive helps all participant types understand how their energy loads can offer measurable value to both their organizations and the wider energy system.
- The inclusive approach recognizes that flexibility exists at every scale and aims to unlock participation across all market segments.
See also
What is the Power Responsive program and what is its mission?
Power Responsive came to fruition around 10 to 11 years ago and is about engaging the market and understanding what demand-side participation could look like across the energy system.
What role do female role models in senior leadership play in retaining women in utilities?
Having visible role models in senior positions signals to other women that progression is possible and helps retain female talent in the sector.
How can experienced professionals avoid feeling phased out, and what role does mentoring play?
Experienced professionals who feel they are being sidelined should explore mentoring as an option, because it forces reflection and keeps them engaged in meaningful work.