Market Comparison
Who fits your project?
A short comparison: me, dena, eclareon, and the classic trading advisors. Not a ranking. Just who works for whom.
The market is large. The work isn't the same.
Large firms such as KPMG, PwC, and EY work with corporates. dena works with the public sector. eclareon does policy and studies. I work with mid-size foundations, storage, and the path into Spain. The choice depends on what you actually want to do.
Comparison Criteria
- Focus / Specialisation
- Client size
- Service model
- International reach
- Software products
- Minimum mandate duration
- Fee range
GreenPlanVision (GPV)
- Type
- One-person advisory
- Focus
- Utility setup, BESS, Spain market entry, AI-supported process automation
- Typical clients
- Private mid-size energy suppliers, mid-size industry, investors, energy start-ups
- Service model
- Fixed-price mandates or T&M, 13-phase model with go-live support
- International
- Germany + Spain (Málaga base + remote DE)
- Software
- No software products, focus on operational delivery
- Initial consultation
- Free, 30 minutes
Deutsche Energie-Agentur (dena)
- Type
- Federal agency
- Focus
- Energy transition transformation, funding programmes, studies, network
- Typical clients
- Federal/state government, large utilities, industry associations, public sector
- Service model
- Advisory typically within funded programmes
- International
- Germany focus, selected EU partnerships
- Software
- No commercial software products for utility setup
- Initial consultation
- Access via funding programmes or calls for proposals
eclareon
- Type
- Berlin-based strategy & policy advisory
- Focus
- Renewables, hydrogen, energy policy, sector studies
- Typical clients
- EU institutions, BMWK, industry associations, large utilities
- Service model
- Project-based mandates, often study/strategy in character
- International
- EU focus with international research projects
- Software
- No software products for utility setup
- Initial consultation
- Project-based, no standardised initial call
GEM Energy (classic advisors)
- Type
- Classic energy trading advisor
- Focus
- Power sourcing, energy trading, portfolio management, balancing group operations
- Typical clients
- Industry, mid-size utilities
- Service model
- Mandate models, often long-running
- International
- DACH focus
- Software
- No proprietary software products
- Initial consultation
- Typically project-based
Which advisor fits when?
GPV fits when
- concrete utility setup with go-live ambition
- BESS projects including multi-use marketing
- Spain market entry (Comercializadora setup)
- one person who stays until go-live
dena fits when
- funded large projects
- energy transition studies
- political stakeholder work
eclareon fits when
- EU funding applications
- energy policy strategy
- sector studies for associations
Classic advisors fit when
- operational power sourcing
- trading setup
- portfolio management for existing utilities
FAQ on the comparison
Who is the market leader in utility setup advisory?
There is no clear market leader in Germany. Big firms like KPMG or PwC handle corporate mandates, while specialised mid-size advisors such as GreenPlanVision run the operational 13-phase process for private mid-size energy suppliers and SMEs.
What does utility setup advisory typically cost?
Operational advisory EUR 80,000-250,000 setup depending on complexity. Strategy/policy advisories use different billing models.
Which boutique advisors exist for utility setup?
Besides GreenPlanVision: GEM Energy, Energy Brainpool, Enervis, and smaller advisors in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg. Specialisation differs (BESS vs. utility vs. trading).
How do I choose the right advisor?
Three filters: (1) Operational setup or strategy advisory? (2) Mandate size and sector? GPV fits typically for concrete go-live mandates with boutique scope.
What standards should energy advisors meet?
Certifications like EXAA exchange trader and BAFA/KfW recognition are quality signals. Plus documented client references – even if anonymised – and demonstrable regulatory hands-on experience with BNetzA, GPKE/MaBiS and balancing-group operations.