WattTime - Comprehensive Analysis Report

Summary

WattTime is a pioneering environmental technology nonprofit, established in 2014 from research at the University of California, Berkeley. Its core mission is to empower a global shift towards cleaner energy by enabling individuals, companies, policymakers, and countries to significantly reduce real-time electricity emissions. The organization is a leader in data-driven tools and policies, most notably for inventing Automated Emissions Reduction (AER). This innovative technique allows smart devices to automatically utilize surplus clean energy, thereby reducing reliance on fossil fuels. WattTime acts as a critical enabler in the transition to a zero-carbon future, striving to achieve deeper and faster emissions reductions globally.

1. Strategic Focus & Objectives

Core Objectives

WattTime's main business objectives revolve around maximizing real-world emissions reductions through intelligent energy use. They aim to provide highly granular marginal emissions datasets, enabling an understanding of the true time and location-specific emissions impact of electricity consumption. A primary long-term goal is to accelerate global decarbonization by making emissions reduction actionable and accessible across various sectors.

Specialization Areas

WattTime specializes in developing and deploying advanced data science and machine learning to understand and predict electricity grid emissions. Their unique value propositions include:

Automated Emissions Reduction (AER): Empowering IoT devices to automatically shift electricity consumption to periods of cleaner energy.

Emissionality Technology: Guiding renewable energy project developers to optimal locations for maximum emissions displacement.

Free Impact Analysis: Collaborating with government and private sector organizations on carbon accounting systems to ensure genuine emissions reductions.

Target Markets

WattTime targets a global market, with its electricity grid emissions data signals covering over 200 countries and territories. Primary market segments include:

Industrial Customers: Leveraging demand flexibility for significant grid decarbonization.

Technology & Smart Device Manufacturers: Integrating AER into smart devices for automatic emissions shifting (e.g., electric vehicles, smart thermostats, battery storage systems).

Renewable Energy Developers: Utilizing Emissionality for strategic project siting.

Government and Private Sector Organizations: Providing impact analysis for carbon accounting and policy development.

2. Financial Overview

Funding History

WattTime operates as a charitable nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)), with funding primarily derived from charitable contributions and program services.

Total Funds and Revenue:

In 2024, the company reported revenues of $21,292,468, consisting of $18,544,604 from contributions and $2,667,271 from program services.

In 2023, total revenue was $12,087,174, with expenses amounting to $12,462,010.

Total assets in 2024 reached $10.8 million.

Key Funders and Investors:

Al Gore

Clean Air Fund

Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation

Echoing Green

Edwards Mother Earth Foundation

Generation Foundation and Partners of Generation Investment Management

Google.org (including a $1.7 million grant via Tides Foundation for a satellite monitoring project)

Great Lakes Protection Fund

Heising-Simons Foundation

Holdfast Collective

HPE Foundation

IKEA Foundation

James and Kaye Slavet

MacArthur Foundation

Michael Haas

Patrick J. McGovern Foundation

Peter and Terry Boyer

Reid Hoffman

Salesforce (as part of its 'AI for Impact' accelerator program, providing product donations and shared funding)

Early Funding: In 2014, WattTime also secured $4.6 million in a Series A round from Parkson, complementing its current grant and contribution-based funding model.

3. Product Pipeline

Key Products/Services

WattTime's product development centers on enhancing the precision, granularity, and global reach of its emissions data and the applications of its core AER technology.

WattTime API with North America Data Models:

Description: Provides highly accurate and granular marginal operating emissions rate (MOER) data.

Development Stage: Recently updated in March 2026 with improved forecast performance through enhanced ML model selection, weather input features, and curtailment predictions.

Target Market/Condition: Power grid operators, smart device manufacturers, industrial consumers, and any entity seeking to optimize energy consumption for emissions reduction.

Expected Timeline: Continuous improvement and expansion.

Key Features and Benefits: Incorporates LMP data in certain regions to infer renewable curtailment, resulting in zero marginal operating emissions rates. Models are retrained with newer data to accurately reflect evolving grid operations.

Automated Emissions Reduction (AER) Technology:

Description: Software platform enabling internet-connected devices to automatically adjust electricity consumption to periods of cleaner energy.

Development Stage: Continuously evolving, with new innovations integrated into partner products.

Target Market/Condition: Smart device manufacturers (EVs, thermostats, battery storage), industrial facilities, and various flexible load applications.

Key Features and Benefits: Utilized in over one billion smart devices globally, including electric vehicles (Toyota, BMW), smart thermostats (Amazon, Google Nest), and Apple iPhones. Enhances environmental impact of smart devices without user intervention.

Emissionality Technology:

Description: Technology assisting in selecting optimal locations for new wind and solar farms to maximize displacement of emissions, thereby multiplying environmental impact.

Development Stage: Ongoing development and application.

Target Market/Condition: Renewable energy developers and investors.

Key Features and Benefits: Ensures clean energy investments have the greatest possible positive impact on emissions reduction.

Free Impact Analysis for Carbon Accounting Systems:

Description: Offers pro-bono analysis to government and private sector organizations developing carbon accounting frameworks.

Development Stage: Actively deployed and offered.

Target Market/Condition: Policymakers, corporate sustainability teams, and carbon accounting standard developers.

Key Features and Benefits: Facilitates the development of carbon accounting standards that genuinely drive real-world emissions reductions.

Scope 2 Carbon Calculator (in collaboration with REsurety):

Description: A free tool designed to compare renewable energy claims and their actual carbon impact.

Development Stage: Launched.

Target Market/Condition: Businesses and organizations looking to understand and verify the emissions impact of their renewable energy purchases.

Key Features and Benefits: Provides transparency and accuracy in assessing Scope 2 emissions.

4. Technology & Innovation

Technology Stack

WattTime distinguishes itself through its proprietary data-driven analytical platform, focused on precisely quantifying and predicting marginal emissions rates.

Core Platforms and Technologies:

Proprietary AER Software Platform: Enables internet-connected devices to dynamically adjust electricity consumption based on real-time grid emissions. This platform leverages cutting-edge research and novel algorithms for seamless load shifting. WattTime states this technology is integrated into over one billion smart devices globally, including those from Toyota, BMW, Amazon, Google Nest, and Apple iPhones.

Emissionality Technology: Specifically designed to identify optimal locations for new renewable energy projects by assessing their potential to displace the most emissions.

Marginal Operating Emissions Rate (MOER) Data Platform: Publishes new MOER data every five minutes, including a 72-hour forecast. This data provides insights into CO2 marginal and average emissions, along with health impact data.

Proprietary Developments:

Marginal Emissions Algorithms: These are built upon peer-reviewed academic research, extended by WattTime to deliver enhanced granularity and real-time capabilities.

Machine Learning Clustering Algorithms: Utilized to estimate MOER in regions lacking public emissions data. This is achieved by matching these regions with grids exhibiting similar characteristics.

Forecasting Models: These models employ an ensemble of ML models trained on historical MOER signals, ingesting various data inputs, such as weather forecasts and power grid forecasts, to predict future emissions rates.

Renewable Energy Curtailment Models: Algorithms are developed to process additional datasets that measure renewable energy curtailment, allowing for the prediction of curtailment events and the detection of moments when non-fossil plants are marginal. WattTime considers these algorithms proprietary IP.

Scientific Methodologies:

WattTime employs an empirical modeling approach, integrating real-time power grid data from individual grid operators, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), and the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E).

Technical Capabilities:

Real-time data processing and analysis of electricity grid operations.

Advanced machine learning for predictive analytics of emissions.

Development and deployment of APIs for seamless integration of emissions data into third-party products and services.

5. Leadership & Management

Executive Team

WattTime was co-founded by Gavin McCormick and Anna Schneider.

Gavin McCormick: Co-founder and Executive Director

Professional Background: A pioneering figure in climate technology, McCormick is recognized for bridging technical communities. He holds a Master's degree in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and a BA in Economics from Williams College. His prior experience includes an Associate Analyst role at NERA Economic Consulting (Environment Practice) and as an Associate Economist at Battelle, focusing on energy policy and efficiency. He also served as a Volunteer Teacher in Namibia. During his PhD studies at UC Berkeley, he developed algorithms to detect avoided/marginal emissions from renewable energy generation. In 2020, he co-founded the Climate TRACE coalition.

Notable Achievements/Key Contributions: Developed the first system to dynamically reduce emissions by optimizing electric load in real time. Leads WattTime's strategic direction, including the development and scaling of AER technology. Serves as the Electricity Lead for Climate TRACE.

LinkedIn Profile: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavinmccormick/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavinmccormick/)

Anna Schneider: Co-founder and CTO

Professional Background: Co-founded WattTime in 2014.

Other key members in leadership roles include:

Eric Nguyen: Chief Product Officer

Joel Cofield: VP, Engineering (previously Head of Engineering, AER)

Laura Corso: MD of Partnerships

Jeremy Freeman: Head of Research & Engineering, GEMS

Alexandria Shuster: Operations Manager

6. Talent and Growth Indicators

Hiring Trends and Workforce

WattTime operates as a mission-driven nonprofit with a tech startup culture, emphasizing impact, lean methodologies, and strong teamwork. As of PitchBook's March 2026 data, WattTime has 40 total employees. Tracxn data from December 31, 2022, estimated 27 employees. The company anticipates future open roles in areas such as Analysis, Data Science, Research Science, Engineering, Partnerships, and Operations. A "Senior Data Scientist, Special Projects" position is currently open and remote.

Company Growth Trajectory Indicators

WattTime's continuous product development, expansion of data coverage to over 200 countries, and increasing adoption of its AER technology by major global brands like Toyota, BMW, Amazon, Google Nest, and Apple, all indicate a strong growth trajectory. The selection for the Salesforce 'AI for Impact' accelerator program also points to continued expansion and technological advancement. WattTime projects AER availability to double to two billion devices in about nine months as of October 2025.

Employee Sentiment and Culture Insights

Employee sentiment, based on available reviews, suggests a positive work environment. Employees describe the company as thoughtful about time usage, with management actively listening to feedback and fostering a genuine sense of teamwork. The team culture is welcoming, projects are engaging and meaningful, and leadership empowers employees, encouraging continuous learning and investing in growth. New hires benefit from comprehensive orientation, assigned mentors, and a gradual ramp-up of responsibilities. The average annual salary for employees is estimated at $106,556 as of April 2026.

7. Social Media Presence and Engagement

Digital Footprint

WattTime maintains an active social media presence, primarily on LinkedIn, Twitter/X, and YouTube. They utilize these platforms to:

Disseminate News and Research: Sharing updates on their latest data models, technological advancements, and insights into grid decarbonization.

Brand Messaging and Positioning: Reinforcing their mission as a leader in real-time emissions data and Automated Emissions Reduction technology.

Community Engagement Strategies: Engaging with industry professionals, policymakers, and environmental advocates.

Thought Leadership Initiatives: Publishing articles, research findings, and participating in discussions related to climate tech, smart grid, and sustainable energy. WattTime is also actively involved in the Climate TRACE coalition.

Notable Campaigns or Content: Promoting their involvement in initiatives like Climate TRACE and highlighting their partnerships with major tech companies.

8. Recognition and Awards

Industry Recognition

WattTime and its leadership have received significant recognition for their innovative work in climate technology:

2025 Climate Breakthrough Award: Gavin McCormick, WattTime's co-founder and Executive Director, was honored with the 2025 Climate Breakthrough Award from the global philanthropy nonprofit Climate Breakthrough. This award recognized his initiative to offer free impact analysis for carbon accounting standards, providing $4 million in multiyear, flexible funding.

TIME's 2025 Best Inventions: WattTime's Automated Emissions Reduction (AER) technology was featured as one of TIME's Best Inventions of 2025.

Forbes' 2025 Sustainability Leaders: Gavin McCormick was included on Forbes' 2025 Sustainability Leaders list.

2019 IoT Global Awards: WattTime's AER software solution received a nomination in the "Connected Consumer and Smart Home" category.

2018 Global Energy Awards: S&P Global Platts selected WattTime as a finalist for the "Emerging Technology of the Year" category.

Google AI Impact Challenge Grant: In 2019, WattTime was awarded a $1.7 million grant from Google.org as part of the Google AI Impact Challenge. The grant funded a project focused on using satellite imagery to monitor global power plant emissions.

Salesforce Accelerator AI for Impact Program: In April 2024, WattTime was chosen for this philanthropic initiative, receiving technology, investment, and $2 million in shared funding.

Fast Company's #5 Most Innovative Company in the World: Climate TRACE, co-founded by Gavin McCormick, gained recognition for its application of AI to satellite imagery for monitoring global greenhouse gas emissions.

9. Competitive Analysis

Major Competitors

WattTime navigates a competitive landscape within climate technology, data analytics, and energy management. While its nonprofit status and focus on real-time marginal emissions data provide a unique position, it competes indirectly or directly with various entities.

Energy Data and Analytics Providers:

Company Overview: Other companies offer energy consumption data, grid analytics, and emissions reporting tools. These can range from large energy management firms to specialized data providers.

Focus Areas: Often focus on optimizing energy efficiency, demand-side management, and compliance reporting.

Technological Capabilities: Utilize various data collection, modeling, and reporting platforms, but may not have the same depth of real-time marginal emissions analysis as WattTime.

Notable Achievements: May have established client bases in specific industrial or commercial sectors.

Competitive Positioning: Competitors might offer broader energy management suites or focus on aggregated emissions data rather than the granular, real-time marginal data that is WattTime's specialty.