Award-Winning Innovation: Lessons from Global EnergyTech Awards in Supply, Trading & Risk

The energy sector is in the midst of a profound digital transformation. As volatility, decarbonization, and regulatory complexity reshape global markets, the need for agile, data-driven, and resilient supply, trading, and risk management has never been greater. The Global EnergyTech Awards, established by Publicis Sapient, shine a spotlight on the startups and digital solutions that are redefining what’s possible in this space. Their stories offer powerful lessons for energy leaders seeking to modernize operations and unlock new value.

The Digital Imperative: Why Innovation Matters Now

Legacy systems and siloed data have long been the norm in energy supply and trading. But today’s environment—marked by rapid market shifts, the integration of renewables, and the rise of new business models—demands more. Award-winning innovators are demonstrating how cloud-native platforms, AI-driven analytics, and blockchain-based solutions can deliver:

These advancements are not just theoretical—they are delivering measurable improvements in efficiency, transparency, and profitability for organizations that embrace them.

SaaS ETRM Platforms: The New Backbone of Trading

A standout among recent Global EnergyTech Award winners is Previse Systems, recognized for its high-performance SaaS platform for European electricity, natural gas, and certificates trading. By leveraging modern software architecture and cloud delivery, Previse Systems enables:

This approach exemplifies how SaaS ETRM (Energy Trading and Risk Management) platforms are replacing monolithic legacy systems, empowering trading organizations to respond with agility to market volatility and regulatory shifts. The result is a more resilient, future-ready trading operation.

AI-Driven Analytics: Powering Predictive Risk Management

Artificial intelligence and advanced analytics are now essential for risk management in energy trading. Award-winning startups such as SAMAWATT have been recognized for their AI-powered forecasting solutions, which provide highly accurate wind and solar power production forecasts at hourly granularity for up to 72 hours. These capabilities enable traders and risk managers to:

By making intermittent renewable resources more predictable and tradable, these innovations are not only improving profitability but also supporting the broader integration of renewables into energy markets.

Blockchain and Carbon Trading: Building Trust and Transparency

The Global EnergyTech Awards have also highlighted the role of blockchain in transforming carbon markets. Platforms like AirCarbon Exchange, recognized for their impact, use blockchain to bring efficiency, transparency, and security to carbon trading. This technology:

As emissions data becomes increasingly intertwined with trading data, blockchain-based solutions are becoming core capabilities for organizations committed to net-zero targets and sustainable growth.

Unified Analytics Platforms: Breaking Down Silos

A recurring theme among award-winning solutions is the move toward unified commercial analytics platforms. By integrating data from supply, trading, and risk functions, these platforms enable:

Publicis Sapient, in partnership with Microsoft, has developed such platforms to help clients break down data silos, accelerate business process automation, and unlock high-value use cases leveraging AI and advanced analytics. The result is greater agility and the ability to respond quickly to market shifts and regulatory changes.

Real-World Impact: Case Studies from the EnergyTech Awards

The lessons from award-winning innovators are not just theoretical—they are being realized in practice:

These solutions demonstrate the power of digital innovation to deliver measurable improvements in efficiency, transparency, and risk mitigation across the energy value chain.

Practical Guidance: How to Thrive Amid Market Volatility

For energy companies seeking to modernize supply, trading, and risk management, the path forward is clear:

  1. Invest in Data Integration: Build a unified data ecosystem that connects supply, trading, and risk functions—the foundation for advanced analytics and AI-driven decision-making.
  2. Embrace Automation: Identify manual, repetitive processes that can be automated to improve efficiency and reduce operational risk.
  3. Adopt Cloud-Native Platforms: Leverage the scalability and flexibility of the cloud to accelerate innovation and reduce total cost of ownership.
  4. Prioritize Portfolio Optimization: Use unified analytics to optimize portfolios in real time, balancing profitability with risk exposure.
  5. Foster a Culture of Agility: Encourage cross-functional collaboration and continuous learning to stay ahead of market and regulatory changes.

Why Publicis Sapient?

With over 30 years of experience in digital business transformation, Publicis Sapient partners with energy and commodities organizations to deliver strategy, product, experience, engineering, and data & AI expertise. Our proven frameworks and award-winning solutions are recognized for their real-world impact, helping clients adapt, innovate, and lead in a world where digital is at the core of every decision and process.

Ready to Lead the Next Wave of Energy Transformation?

The future of energy supply, trading, and risk management is digital. By embracing unified analytics, automation, and cloud-native platforms, energy companies can not only navigate volatility but seize new opportunities for growth and sustainability. Connect with Publicis Sapient’s experts to discover how we can help you modernize your supply, trading, and risk operations—and thrive in the new energy era.