Best Practices: Unlocking The Energy Flexibility Opportunity

Report
Corporate Energy Leaders
Isobel McPartlin
Isobel McPartlin
Ryan Skinner
Ryan Skinner
10 Jun, 2026

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Executive Summary

Energy flexibility is both a cost optimization lever and a foundation for long-term energy resilience strategies for commercial and industrial (C&I) firms. As electricity systems evolve, organizations must rethink how and when they consume power. Despite some clear financial and operational benefits to energy flexibility, adoption remains limited. After conversations with a dozen energy leaders, Verdantix finds that most firms are still at an early stage, focused on on-site optimization and pilot demand response programmes, with progress constrained by inconsistent market incentives and unclear returns. This report outlines the barriers, emerging best practices and practical steps firms can take to unlock value, reduce costs and build resilience in an increasingly dynamic energy system.
Summary for decision-makers
Energy flexibility is the untapped goldmine of commercial and industrial (C&I) energy management
Participation in energy flexibility schemes offers firms financial incentives
Flexibility adoption is low as it lacks a bulletproof business case
Innovations and investments in flexibility continue, despite slow corporate participation
Flexibility strategies must have clear return on investment (ROI) and no operational disruption
Capturing value from flexibility requires grounded, site-specific execution
Firms’ flexibility strategies will grow by automating demand response and expanding asset bases
Figure 1. Three forms of energy flexibility
Figure 2. The energy flexibility ecosystem
Figure 3. Demand response process in a corporate firm
Figure 4. Global corporate energy flexibility maturity by country: 2026
Figure 5. Flexibility maturity model
Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO), Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC), Ameresco, Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC), Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), Australian Energy Regulator (AER), Brazil Electric Energy Trading Chamber (CCEE), Brazil Electricity Regulatory Agency (ANEEL), Brazil Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), Brazil National Electric System Operator (ONS), BSES Delhi, California Independent System Operator (CAISO), California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), China National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC), Con Edison, Constellation, Electron, Enel X Japan, EnergyHub, EPEX SPOT, EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER), European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E), Flexitricity, France Electricity Transmission Network (RTE), France Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE), German Federal Network Agency (BNetzA), Google, GOPACS, GridBeyond, in National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC), India Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), Italian Regulatory Authority for Energy, Networks and Environment (ARERA), Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan Organization for Cross‑regional Coordination of Transmission Operators (OCCTO), Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), Korea Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), Logical Buildings, McKinsey & Company, Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), New York Public Service Commission (NYPSC), Nissan, Nord Pool, Octopus Energy, Ofgem, Ontario Energy Board (OEB), Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), Piclo, PJM, Red Eléctrica (REE), Resideo Grid Services, Schneider Electric, Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), Siemens, Singapore Energy Market Authority (EMA), Singapore Power Group (SP Group), Southwest Power Pool (SPP), Svenska kraftnät, Swedish Energy Markets Inspectorate (Ei), Sympower, Tata Power, TenneT, Terna, UK Energy Networks Association (ENA), UK National Energy Service Operator (NESO), US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

About the Authors

Isobel McPartlin

Isobel McPartlin

Industry Analyst

Isobel is an Industry Analyst at Verdantix, specializing in corporate energy strategy and energy transition technologies. Her research helps firms develop their energy strateg...

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Ryan Skinner

Ryan Skinner

VP Research

Ryan is a VP Research at Verdantix, where he leads a team of analysts delivering research, data and advisory services that help clients navigate the fast-evolving landscape of...

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