HOUSTON – August 2, 2016 – The Energy Professionals Association (TEPA), recently commissioned Energy Research Consulting Group (ERCG) to conduct an Energy Aggregator-Broker-Consultant (ABC) Retail Market study, in an effort to better understand the competitive retail market, as well as help define standards of service within the ABC community. The study, which was released earlier this year, estimated that nearly 70 percent of non-residential retail transactions in competitive markets are transacted with brokers and overall ABC revenue is forecast to grow about three percent annually reaching $2 billion by 2020. Since March 2016, TEPA has also accepted nine new members, strengthening the Association’s influence within deregulated markets across the U.S.

“The recent TEPA ERCG research is the largest study of the competitive retail markets in recent years,” said David Roylance, president of TEPA. “From this comprehensive study we’re able to understand the size of competitive retail markets, and the influence of brokers in order to better define our industry and expand the tools most preferred by consumers within these markets. We’re especially excited the research shows TEPA members are leaders in offering better value and more comprehensive consumer solutions, while improving our industry’s standard of service and transparency.”

More than 130 companies responded to the ABC Market Insights survey, which is a new record for survey respondents in the industry. The firms that responded represent over 400 million megawatt hours of annual volume under management, or approximately 82 percent of estimated brokered U.S. power sales.  An average residence consumes 14 megawatt hours annually. TEPA is using the data from the study to help refine standards for the industry through a code of conduct, as well as build education programs that improve the standards of service within the broker community. The Association’s focus is to enhance the value to consumers who are fortunate to have choice in their energy supplier, and to help stakeholders expand markets across the U.S.

“Our recent broker study is one of the most ambitious research projects of its kind,” said Andrew Barth, vice president of TEPA. “The results have provided us with actionable data that we can use to expand and build programs that are meaningful to our members, as well as the consumers they serve. With the information we now have, we’re able to strengthen our current education program and develop new certification initiatives that will likely influence the national broker community.”

Some of the data collected during the ABC Study includes:

  • An increasing number of businesses are utilizing the services of ABCs to access competitive energy supply and to navigate the innovative tools, including demand response and distributed generation, facilitated by competitive market design
  • TEPA members tend to be larger companies than non-TEPA members; TEPA members were more likely to offer expansive solutions compared to non-TEPA ABCs
  • TEPA members’ enhanced services included demand response, energy efficiency and distributed generation
  • By 2020, estimated ABC facilitated transaction will reach 571 TWh and $2.0 billion in fees
  • The number of firms in the ABC community continues expanding, which is a signal of health in the ABC sector

In addition to announcing the successful ABC Market Insights Study, TEPA has also welcomed nine new members companies to the Association.

“It’s an exciting time to be a part of TEPA,” added Roylance. “Our members are making significant strides in assisting business consumers in competitive retail markets. I appreciate our new members who recognize the value we bring to their business and the market. We’re excited to announce the addition of nine new companies to our Association. I believe our consistent membership growth points to our successes as a community in fostering transparent competitive retail markets and higher standards of market participants.”

ABC companies that have recently joined TEPA include:

  • Energy Professionals
  • EnerConnex
  • GreenCrown Energy
  • Maximum Power
  • Tobelmann Energy Brokers, Inc.

Retail Electric Providers that have recently joined TEPA include:

  • Spark Energy
  • UGI Energy Services

Affiliate companies that have recently joined TEPA include:

  • Edge on Demand
  • VARO Technologies

TEPA recently announced that its 11th Annual Conference will be held on Oct. 12-13, 2016, at the Hotel ZaZa in Houston, Texas. The conference, “Expanding the Possibilities,” will focus the potential of the competitive retail market and anticipated growth over the next year. Registration for the conference will open in August at www.tepaUSA.org. Early bird rates will be available.

About The Energy Professionals Association
The Energy Professionals Association (TEPA) is a 501(c)(6) organization that establishes a standard code of conduct, serves as an educational resource and advocates legislative initiatives for the deregulated energy markets across the country. TEPA members include aggregators, brokers and consultants (ABCs), retail electricity providers (REPs) and affiliate members.

TEPA members exhibit expertise, ethical practices and a high level of professionalism to help consumers buy electricity in the restructured national marketplace. Follow TEPA on Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin.

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