Uplight

Uplight delivers energy engagement and demand management solutions for utilities. Explore its features, pricing, and benefits for the clean energy transition.

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Uplight is a customer-centric energy platform designed to help utilities accelerate the clean energy transition. Through a suite of integrated software solutions, Uplight enables energy providers to engage customers, optimize demand, drive electrification, and achieve decarbonization goals.

Built specifically for utilities, Uplight offers tools that personalize customer experiences, encourage energy efficiency behaviors, manage demand response events, and support distributed energy resource (DER) integration. The platform connects data across the utility ecosystem to provide actionable insights and automate energy programs.

Uplight works with over 80 utilities across North America, helping them serve more than 110 million energy customers. It plays a key role in transforming how energy providers interact with their customers while supporting grid reliability and environmental responsibility.


Features
Uplight provides a comprehensive set of tools and modules that address different aspects of the customer energy journey.

One of its core features is Personalized Customer Engagement, which uses behavioral science and real-time data to deliver targeted energy insights, savings tips, and efficiency recommendations via email, web, mobile, or smart home devices.

The platform includes a Marketplace module, allowing utilities to offer energy-efficient products (like smart thermostats, LED lighting, and EV chargers) directly to customers. It supports rebates, instant discounts, and streamlined fulfillment.

Uplight’s Demand Response and Flexibility solutions help utilities shift or reduce electricity use during peak periods. Through smart device integration and behavioral nudges, the platform automates participation in demand-side management programs.

With Home Energy Reports (HERs), Uplight delivers usage comparisons, alerts, and goals tailored to each household, driving sustained reductions in energy use.

The Orchestrated Energy module enables intelligent thermostat optimization, adjusting temperature setpoints based on occupancy, weather, and grid signals. This balances comfort with energy efficiency.

The platform supports EV engagement, helping utilities identify electric vehicle owners, guide them toward optimal charging schedules, and prepare the grid for increased EV adoption.

Uplight also offers Program Enrollment and Management tools that simplify how customers sign up for energy programs, manage preferences, and participate in utility-sponsored initiatives.

All modules are tied together through Uplight’s Customer Energy Action System, a unified architecture that integrates data across meters, devices, and customer touchpoints.


How It Works
Uplight integrates with utility systems such as customer information systems (CIS), advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), and billing platforms to collect and analyze customer data.

Once data is ingested, Uplight uses machine learning and behavioral analytics to segment customers and generate personalized energy experiences. These are delivered through digital channels including web portals, mobile apps, email, and voice assistants.

For demand-side management, Uplight connects to smart thermostats, water heaters, EV chargers, and other IoT devices to shift loads during demand response events. These load shifts can be automated or customer-controlled, depending on program design.

Utilities can monitor engagement and performance via a centralized dashboard. Insights help optimize program design, marketing efforts, and energy outcomes.

The modular platform ensures utilities can start with one solution—like HERs or a marketplace—and scale up to a fully integrated customer experience suite over time.


Use Cases
Uplight is used by electric and gas utilities seeking to improve customer engagement, support grid modernization, and meet decarbonization mandates.

Customer experience teams use Uplight to deliver personalized energy insights that build trust, reduce high-bill complaints, and boost satisfaction scores.

Energy efficiency teams use the platform to drive participation in rebate programs, offer targeted recommendations, and promote energy-saving behaviors through HERs.

Demand response teams rely on Uplight’s flexibility solutions to automate device participation, manage DR events, and measure load impacts in real time.

Electrification program leaders use the EV tools to identify and educate EV owners, encourage off-peak charging, and reduce strain on the grid.

Marketing teams use Uplight’s data segmentation and campaign tools to reach customers with the right message at the right time, improving program uptake.

Marketplace teams use the commerce platform to sell efficiency products, manage incentives, and track redemption performance.


Pricing
Uplight does not publish fixed pricing on its website, as costs vary depending on the utility’s size, chosen modules, and integration needs.

Pricing is typically influenced by:

  • Number of customer accounts served

  • Modules deployed (e.g., HERs, marketplace, DR, EV engagement)

  • Degree of data integration and IT support

  • Level of customization and ongoing support

  • Program performance goals and usage volumes

Utilities can contact Uplight directly to request a tailored proposal and demonstration. Solutions are typically offered as multi-year service agreements with implementation, software, and support included.


Strengths
Uplight’s biggest strength is its focus on customer-centric energy transformation, combining behavioral science, real-time data, and technology to drive measurable outcomes.

The platform’s modular design allows utilities to build flexible solutions that scale with their needs, from simple engagement to full ecosystem orchestration.

Its integration with utility systems ensures data-driven operations and personalized interactions, improving the relevance and effectiveness of utility programs.

The company has a proven track record with major utilities and a deep understanding of regulatory, operational, and customer service requirements in the energy sector.

Uplight’s cross-functional tools support energy efficiency, demand response, electrification, and decarbonization in one cohesive platform.


Drawbacks
One potential drawback is the lack of public pricing transparency, which may make early-stage evaluation difficult for smaller utilities or cooperatives.

The platform’s success depends on data integration, which can require significant IT coordination, especially with legacy CIS or AMI systems.

Uplight is highly tailored to utilities, so it may be less suitable for businesses, municipalities, or individual consumers looking for energy solutions outside of utility partnerships.

Some advanced modules, like Orchestrated Energy or EV insights, may require partnerships with device manufacturers or third-party data access.


Comparison with Other Tools
Compared to platforms like Bidgely or Sense, Uplight offers a broader utility-focused solution set that includes marketplaces, DR automation, and program management.

Bidgely excels in appliance-level disaggregation and load analytics, while Uplight emphasizes behavioral engagement and cross-program orchestration.

Compared to Opower (Oracle), Uplight offers a more flexible, modular, and modern user experience, with stronger support for marketplaces, device integration, and next-generation DER programs.

Uplight also competes with Uplight-partnered or acquired companies like FirstFuel and Simple Energy, which now operate as part of its unified solution suite.


Customer Reviews and Testimonials
Uplight is trusted by over 80 utilities including National Grid, Xcel Energy, DTE Energy, and Puget Sound Energy.

According to public case studies, utilities have reported:

  • 3–5% average energy savings from HERs

  • 15–25% program participation increases

  • High net promoter scores for digital energy tools

  • Reduced call center volume related to high bills

Customers appreciate Uplight’s ability to deliver measurable results, scale programs quickly, and offer end-to-end support from strategy to execution.

The platform has received numerous industry awards for innovation in clean tech, customer engagement, and energy efficiency.


Conclusion
Uplight is a leading energy engagement and demand optimization platform purpose-built for utilities navigating the clean energy transition. Its AI-driven tools and behavioral strategies enable deeper customer relationships, greater grid flexibility, and faster decarbonization.

By unifying engagement, efficiency, demand response, and electrification under one platform, Uplight gives utilities the agility and insight needed to meet evolving regulatory requirements, customer expectations, and climate goals.

Whether starting with energy insights or scaling to orchestrated grid solutions, Uplight provides the digital infrastructure for the utility of the future.

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